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THE PROSPECTOR’S 


FIELD-BOOK AND 

IN THE 


GUIDE 


SEARCH FOR AND THE EASY DETERMINATION OF 
ORES AND OTHER USEFUL MINERALS. 


BY 

V 

Prof. H. S. OSBORN, LL.D., 

AUTHOR OP “ THE METALLURGY OF IRON AND STEEL,” “ A PRACTICAL MANUAL 
OF MINERALS, MINES, AND MINING.” 

ILLUSTRATED BY FORTY-SEVEN ENGRAVINGS. 


SECOND EDITION REVISED, WITH A GLOSSARY OF TERMS 
AND OTHER IMPORTANT ADDITIONS. 



O'* 0F 

- r ,pt * igh t % 

IAN aoi m 

PHILADELP^Y^ 

HENRY CAREY BAIRD & 



INDUSTRIAL, PUBLISHERS, BOOKSELLERS AND IMPORTERS, 

810 WALNUT STREET. 

LONDON: 


SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & CO., Limited, 

St. Dunstan’s House, Fetter Lane, Fleet Street. 

1896. 






Copyright by 

HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO. 
1896. 



Printed by the 

WICKERSHAM PRINTING COMPANY, 
53 and 55 North Queen Street, 
Lancaster, Pa., U. S. A. 


PUBLISHER’S PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 


The death of Dr. Osborn, two years ago, renders 
it necessary that the Publisher should prepare the 
preface to this revised edition of The Prospector’s 
Field-Book and Guide. 

The fact of a second edition of this book having 
been called for so soon after the publication of the 
large first edition, justifies the belief that it has 
supplied a public requirement. The task of revis¬ 
ing the work has devolved upon thoroughly com¬ 
petent hands; and whilst it has been aimed, by the 
insertion of further information regarding the sub¬ 
jects treated in the original edition, to make it still 
more acceptable to those for whom it was prepared, 
a new chapter has also been added on Petroleum, 
Ozocerite, Asphalt and Peat, together with a Glos¬ 
sary of Terms used in prospecting, mining, miner¬ 
alogy, geology, etc. 

While the work of revision has been done with 
conscientious care, under the supervision of the 
publisher, it can hardly be hoped that it has been 
so well done as if Dr. Osborn, with his profound 
knowledge of the subject treated, had been alive to 
direct it for himself, and in his own manner. 

(hi) 



iy publisher’s preface to second edition. 

Henry Stafford Osborn was born in Philadelphia, 
August 17, 1823, and died in New York City, Feb¬ 
ruary 2, 1894. He was graduated at the Univer¬ 
sity of Pennsylvania in 1841 ; went abroad in 1843 
or 1844; studied at Bonn, Germany, and at the 
Polytechnic Institution of London. Before the 
civil war he held the chair of Natural Science at 
Roanoke College, Va., and in 1866 accepted a pro¬ 
fessorship at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa. Leav¬ 
ing Lafayette in 1870, he became in 1871, Professor 
in Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. In 1865 he 
received from Lafayette College the degree of LL.D. 

In 1869 he published “The Metallurgy of Iron 
and Steel;” in 1888, “A Practical Manual of Min¬ 
erals, Mines and Miningin 1892, the first edition 
of The Prospector’s Field-Book and Guide, the 
success of all of which books has been pronounced. 

Personally, Dr. Osborn was charming, full of 
information on a wide range of subjects, which he 
had studied thoroughly; enthusiastic, amiable and 
just; and the relations of his publisher with him, 
during a quarter of a century, will ever be among 
the brightest and best recollections of that pub¬ 
lisher’s long career in business. 

HENRY CAREY BAIRD. 

PniLADEDPHiA, January 15, 1896. 


PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 


In the following pages we have attempted to 
present such a view of the whole subject of pro¬ 
specting for the useful minerals that any liberally 
educated reader may fully comprehend our mean¬ 
ing. We have therefore explained special terms 
where we have thought it convenient to use them, 
and where the technically educated student would 
not need an explanation. 

It must be understood that the subjects of chem¬ 
istry, mineralogy, and metallurgy are introduced 
only for their practical bearing upon the ores in 
hand, or those sought for, and not for theory, or 
the philosophy of the operation, much as such 
theory or philosophy w T ould please and instruct. 
The prospector must, therefore, refer to larger works 
if he desire to be instructed in the principles gov¬ 
erning the sciences, the teachings of which we have 
frequently made use of. 

We would suggest to any one intending to use 
this volume for practical work, to become ac¬ 
quainted with the whole book before attempting to 
(v) 



VI 


PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 


use any special part alone. The object and con¬ 
struction have made it necessary to treat some 
special topics without repeating principles and * 
methods already given in some part of the work, 
but which bear some relation to the topic under 
immediate consideration. 

The Table of Contents and Index have both been 
carefully prepared, and being very full, will make 
reference to any subject in the volume easy and 
satisfactory. 

Oxford, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1892. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER I. 

PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 

PAGE 

Technical mineralogy, the first study of the prospector; 

Guises of minerals ..... 1 

Advantages of cultivating a knowledge of minerals by 

sight; Importance of cleavage and fracture. 2 

Importance of color, streak, and hardness; Scale of hard¬ 
ness . 3 

Manner of trying the hardness of a mineral; Lustre of 

minerals .. 4 

Weight and form of minerals; Example of the practical 
importance of a knowledge of technical mineralogy . 5 

Definition of technical mineralogy; Necessity of a 
knowledge of the rocks associated with the minerals . 6 

Desirability of a general knowledge of the manner in 
which the geologic rocks are laid down; Signs by 
which the name of the sedimentary rock can be de¬ 
termined ; Horizons of rocks .. 7 

Movements of the earth’s crust illustrated by a section 
showing contorted strata due to lateral pressure ; Prac¬ 
tical geology. 8 

Horizons sterile in ores; Horizons in the United States 
which abound in the useful minerals; Classification of 

rocks; Definition of rocks . 9 

Reasons for differences in the geologic horizons; Table 
showing the relations of certain rocks one to another; 

Igneous rocks . 10 

Metamorphic rocks. 11 

(vii) 












yin 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Aqueous rocks; Sandstone illustrated and described; 
Shale illustrated and described; Granite and its varie¬ 
ties . ... . 1A 

Granite with black mica and feldspar crystals with 

quartz as chief ingredient, illustrated . 14 

The blow-pipe; Requirements for blow-pipe practice; 

Manner of preparing dry carbonate of soda. 15 

Manner of using the blow-pipe . 16 

Colors of a candle flame, described and illustrated . . 17 

Oxidizing and reducing flames and their management; 

Definition of the assay ; Roasting. 18 

Illustration and practice showing the characteristic 

power of the oxidizing and reducing flames. 19 

How to make a blow-pipe; Principal means of chemi¬ 
cally testing minerals before the blow-pipe. 20 

Blow-pipe experiments ; Recognition of the presence of 

metals by the color imparted to fused borax. 21 

Table of color indications; Mode of testing with carbon¬ 
ate of soda on charcoal. 22 

Observations and inferences from the above test; Test 
for sulphur and arsenic. 24 

CHAPTER II. 

CRYSTALLOGRAPHY. 

The composition of minerals indicated by their forms; 
Systems of crystalline forms; The isometric system; 

The cube illustrated and described.25 

Variations of the cube . 26 

The octahedron and dodecahedron illustrated and de¬ 
scribed ; The tetragonal system; The prism illustrated 

and described. 27 

The zircon illustrated and described; The hexagonal 

system illustrated and described. 28 

Forms of the hexagonal system; Calcite hexagonal 
crystals—three-sided termination, illustrated; The or¬ 
thorhombic system illustrated. 29 

The monoclinic system illustrated .. 30 


















CONTENTS. 


IX 


PAGE 

The triclinic or thrice-inclined system ; Illustrations of 

the different systems of crystallization. 31 

Distinctions between the turquois, lazulite, and lapis 

lazuli. 32 

The topaz and its crystallization; Meteoric iron ; Ruby 

and sapphire. 33 

The garnet sometimes mistaken for the ruby; Serious 
mistake of a Paris firm of jewelers; Locality of gems 34 

CHAPTER III. 

SURVEYING. 

To measure heights which are inaccessible, illustrated . 35 

To measure areas, illustrated by examples.36 

To measure an inaccessible line, illustrated by examples 39 
The prism compass and its use. 41 

CHAPTER IV. 

ANALYSES OF ORES—WET METHOD. 

Preliminary examinations ; Detection of sulphur, arsenic 
and silenium ; Determination of native gold and silver 43 
Detection of antimony and tin ; Determination of man¬ 
ganese, alumina, magnesia, lime, zinc, cobalt and 

nickel, and uranium. 44 

Determination of titanium and mercury; Detection of 

carbonates; Examination of sandstones . 45 

Qualitative analysis of ores; Dry method of analysis; 

Directions for the wet method of analysis. 46 

Indications of silver, lead, or mercury in the assay. . . 48 

Apparatus for making hydrogen sulphide, illustrated 
and described : Manner of cutting off the bottom of a 

bottle. 49 

The filtrate ; What the precipitate may contain .... 51 

Precipitation of chromium oxide; Blow-pipe test for 
chromium; Precipitation of alumina; Definition of 

excess . 52 

Precipitation of manganese, cobalt and nickel. 54 












X 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

Establishment of the presence of mercury oxide and 

lead sulphate. * 55 

Indications of bismuth and cadmium ; Indications of 
copper, sulphur and gold ; Detection of platinum and 

arsenic. ... 56 

Indication of antimony and tin. 57 

Dry assay of ores ; Crucibles ; Scorifiers ; The cupel; The 

assay furnace, illustrated and described. 58 

Brasquing ; Method of obtaining the amount of iron in 

an ore. 59 

Scales, weighing, etc.; Pulverization for the dry method. 60 

Gold and silver ores ; Cupellation.61 

Separation of the gold and silver by the wet process; 

Flux for melting the ore in a crucible. 62 

Lead ore, galena ; Copper ore ; Tin ore ; Mercury ; Anti¬ 
mony . .. 63 

Bismuth, zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt, and other 
metals. 64 


CHAPTER V. 

SPECIAL MINERALOGY—GOLD. 


Importance of studying minerals from actual specimens ; 
Gold and its physical properties ; Minerals commonly 

accompanying gold. 65 

Native gold and its impurities; How gold is distin¬ 
guished . 66 

Other forms and conditions of gold ; Placer gold ; Gold 

amalgam. 67 

Discovery and extraction of gold ; Where is gold found? 68 


Gold in granitic regions, illustrated by section, showing 
the two conditions under which gold is usually found 
in rock and drift; Peculiar and seemingly irregular 


deposits of gold . . . 69 

Origin of metamorphic rocks ; Igneous rocks and their 

composition .... . 71 

Where the most paying gold is to be found; Gold in 
combination, 


72 

















CONTENTS. 


XI 


PAGE 

To separate gold in metallic sulphides, for instance, in 

pyrites. 73 

Mode of making fuming nitric acid.74 

Another method of detecting and separating the gold . 75 

What constitutes profitable gold working; Method of 
separating gold which gives very accurate results 77 

In review with additional remarks; Where the pro¬ 
spector may expect to find gold 78 

Phillips’ rule for ascertaining the amount of gold in a 
lump of quartz.. 80 

CHAPTER VI. 

PLATINUM, ETC.—SILVER. 

Occurrence and properties of platinum ; Platinum in the 

United States 83 

Sperrylite and its occurrence ; How to distinguish plat¬ 
inum ; Chemical test for platinum . .. 84 

Separation of platinum from gold and other metals; 

Preparation of stannous chloride . 85 

Occurrence of iridium, palladium and platiniridium 86 

Silver, its occurrence and properties; Mispickel; Dis¬ 
tinguishing of native silver before the blowpipe ... 86 

Chemical test of silver.87 

Derivation of most of the silver of commerce; Other 
forms in which silver is found ; Silver sulphides . 88 

Horn silver or cerargyrite ; Brittle silver or stephanite 89 
Red silver or ruby silver ; Bromic silver or bromyrite . 90 

Geology of silver ores illustrated by sections across the 
Comstock Lode and surrounding strata, east and west, 
and north and south, and showing the mines and the 

surface. .91 

Non-metallic substances of the Comstock Lode. . . 93 

Extent and value of the Comstock Lode ; Occurrence of 
silver ores at the Eureka Mines ... . . 95 

Peculiarity of the limestone overlying the Eureka 
Mines ; Geology of the Ruby Hill mines ; The Emma 

mine . . . . 96 

Geologic conditions in which silver ores are found ... 97 











Xll 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

CHAPTER VII. 

4 

COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 

Copper, its occurrence and properties ; Manner of testing 

minerals containing copper. 98 

Red copper ore, ruby copper or cuprite ; Copper glance, 

vitreous copper or chalcocite. 99 

Gray copper or tetrahedrite ; Copper pyrites or chalco- 

pyrite.100 

Silicate of copper or chrysocolla ; Black oxide of copper ; 
Malachite or green carbonate of copper ; Blue carbon¬ 
ate of copper or azurite.101 

Variegated copper pyrites, bornite, or erubiscite .... 102 
Geology of copper, illustrated by section of the copper 
bed at the Dolly Hide mine, Maryland, section of 
strata in Lake Superior copper region, and section of 

the Eagle vein, Lake Superior.103 

Facts for the detection of copper.104 

To obtain the per cent, of copper in an ore.105 

Precautions to be observed in the assay of copper. . . . 107 

CHAPTER VIII. 

LEAD AND TIN. 

Lead, its occurrence and properties ; Order of strata in 
the lead district of Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa ; Test 

for silver in galena.109 

Geology and form of lodes of the galena ores illustrated 
by lead lode in micaceous slate in mine near Middle- 
town, Conn. ; Galena and its associated minerals; Car¬ 
bonate of lead or cerussite, illustrated by section of 

strata in California Gulch, Col.110 

Sulphate of lead or anglesite ; Phosphate of lead or pyro- 

morphite ; Chromate of lead or crocoite.112 

Lead ochre or massicot; Geology of lead, illustrated by 
section of galena limestone ; Galena limestones.... 113 

Circulation of water in lead veins. 114 

Deposit of lead in fissures in the limestone, illustrated 
by a section. 115 














CONTENTS. 


Xlll 


PAGE 


Tin, its occurrence and properties ; Oxide of tin or cassi- 
terite ; Wood tin ; Toad’s eye tin ; Stream tin ... . 116 
Discovery of tin in Banca and Billiton ; Associations in 
Wyoming and Dakota tin mines; Tin pyrites (sul¬ 
phide of tin) ; Bell metal. . . ..117 

Form in which the tin ores of South Dakota are found ; 
Hearney Peak mines ; Gold in tin veins ; Presence of 
tin in the granites ; Phosphate minerals in the Etta 

mine.118 

Wolframite, its properties and detection.119 

Brown garnet of the Hearney mines ; Phosphate of lime, 

i. e., apatite and its properties 120 

Home of the tin deposits; Cassiterite of the Black 
Hills ; Discovery of tin ore on the western slope of the 
Blue Ridge ..121 


CHAPTER IX. 

ZINC—IRON. 

Zinc and its chief ores ; Zinc carbonate or Smithsonite ; 
Zinc silicate or calamine.123 


Red oxide of zinc or zincite ; Sulphide of zinc, sphalerite, 
blende, or black jack; Geology of zinc, illustrated by 
section of strata near Sparta, X. J., zinc mines; De¬ 
posits of sulphide of zinc in Colorado and Montana. . 124 
Report by Mr. E. H. Saltiel on a group of zinc mines in 

Colorado.125 

Iron and its chief ores ; Native iron ; Magnetite.126 

Franklinite ; Specular ore or red hematite.127 

Geologic horizons around the iron ores of Lake Superior, 
illustrated; Brown iron ore, or brown hematite, or 

limonite.128 

Spathic iron ore or siderite ; Black band ore.129 

Chromic iron ore or chromite ; Iron pyrites.130 

Arsenical pyrites or mispickel; Geology of iron ores . . 131 

Section of Pilot Knob, Missouri.132 

The use of the magnetic needle in prospecting for iron ; 

Mr. W. H. Scranton’s summary of the indications 
from the magnetic needle in searching for ore . . . . 133 
Method of using the compass in searching for ore . . . 135 














xiy 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

CHAPTER X. 

MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT AND CADMIUM. 

Mercury or quicksilver; Native mercury; Cinnabar or 
sulphide of mercury; Native amalgam ; Occurrence of 

cinnabar in California.137 

Bismuth, its occurrence and geology . . . .138 

Nickel and its manipulation under the blow-pipe; Smalt- 
ite; Nickel arsenide, copper nickel or nicolite . . . . 139 

Emerald nickel; Millerite.140 

Nickel at Sudbury, Canada; Foleyrite; Whartonite . . 141 
Jack’s tin or blueite; Analysis of ores for nickel and co¬ 
balt ; Preparation of the assay ; Separation of lead . . 142 

To separate the copper.143 

Apparatus for reducing the oxides to the metallic condi¬ 
tion by ignition under a stream of hydrogen.146 

Separation of nickel and cobalt.148 

Analysis of ores for pyrrhotite; Discoveries of nickel ore 

in New Caledonia; Garnierite.150 

Cobalt; Smaltite; Cobaltite; Erythrite.151 

Linnaeite ; Earthy cobalt, cobalt wad, or asbolite; Tin- 

white cobalt.152 

Cadmium; Greenockite.153 

CHAPTER XT. 

ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, AND OTHER 
MINERALS. 

Aluminium ; Corundum.154 

Emery; Sapphire; Oriental ruby; Oriental topaz; Ori¬ 
ental emerald ; Oriental amethyst; Asterias ; Cryolite 155 

Bauxite .. 156 

Deposits of bauxite in Alabama, Georgia and Arkansas; 

Clays at Gay Head, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.157 

Antimony; Stibnite, its properties and geology; Man¬ 
ganese ; Classes of manganese ores; Wad.158 

Pyrolusite; Psilomelane. 159 

Manganese carbonate or rhodochrosite; Geological posi¬ 
tion of manganese.160 
















CONTENTS. 


XV 


PAGE 

Other useful minerals; Apatite or phosphate of lime; 

Arsenic; Native arsenic ..161 

Realgar; Orpiment .. 162 

Dolomite; Feldspar, orthoclase; Fluorspar, fluorite . . . 163 

Graphite, plumbago, black lead; Gypsum.164 

Alabaster; Selenite; Satin spar; Plaster of Paris; Heavy 

spar, barite; Mica .... .165 

Molybdenum ; Molybdenite; Rock salt.166 

Sulphur; Talc or soapstone; Steatite..167 

CHAPTER XII. 

PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 

Occurrence of crude petroleum ; Outfit and time for pros¬ 
pecting .168 

Examination of an iridescent film on the surface of 

water; Indications of an outcrop of oil.169 

Tracing the source of the oil; The water test; Fresh . 
fracture of oil-bearing sandstone; Determination of 

the nature of oil-bearing sandstone. 170 

Color of traces of oil upon the surface of water in cooler 
weather; Iridescent films in swampy puddles .... 171 
Salses (mud volcanoes) and exhalations of natural gas 
as an indication of petroleum ; Occurrence of oil in de¬ 
finite geological horizons.172 

Occurrence of oil in beds or in veins ; Tracing a thick 
seam or stratum of oil-bearing sandstone; Outcrops in 

a large mass of sandstone . 173 

Data to be marked in the sketch-map when promising 

outcrops of oil have been found, illustrated.174 

Vein-like occurrence of oil, illustrated and described . . 175 
Quality of the oil; Ozocerite and its occurrence; Ozocer¬ 
ite deposit in East Galicia, illustrated and described . 177 

Mineral resins allied to ozocerite. 178 

Retinite; Elaterite; Pyropissite; Properties of ozocerite; 

Native asphalt or bitumen.179 

Most remarkable deposits of asphalt; Asphalt in Cali¬ 
fornia .180 

Peat. 181 


















XVI 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

CHAPTER XIII. 

PRECIOUS STONES. 

The diamond and its occurrence in the United States; 

Itacolumite.182 

Rubies, emeralds and sapphires; Beryl, phenacite and 

topaz.183 

Garnets; Epidote ; Fire opal; Turquois.184 

APPENDIX. 

CORRECTION OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 

Basis of British weights and measures; English length. 185 
Particular measures of length; Surface measure; Sur¬ 
face measure, in feet; Solid measure; Weight; Troy 

weight.186 

Avoirdupois weight; Weights by specific gravity . . . 187 
Specific gravity, how to find; Special weights, etc . . . 189 
French measures—Length; Surface; Solid measure . . 190 

Weight; Specific gravity of metals, ores, rocks, etc. . . 191 

Average in cubic feet of a ton weight; Prospectors’ 

pointers.193 

Glossary of terms used in connection with prospecting, 

mining, mineralogy, geology, etc.195 

Index.211 









THE 


PROSPECTOR’S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


CHAPTER I. 

PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 

In preparation for skillful work, the prospector 
should become thoroughly acquainted with the 
forms under which useful minerals and metals 
appear. 

This should be his very first study. It may be 
called the study of technical mineralogy. 

He should be able to detect all the guises, as they 
may be called, which usually present themselves. 

Some metals are found native and in some degree 
of purity, as in the cases of gold, silver, copper, 
mercury, and platinum, and when so found are 
readily determined at once by any one who is at all 
acquainted with those metals as they occur in gen¬ 
eral use. But frequently native metals appear 
under such colors, and even forms, that the dis¬ 
coverer must possess more knowledge than any one 
usually possesses who has seen the metal in the arts 
only. Gold, as an illustration, is frequently found 
' 1 (I) 



2 


PROSPECTOR S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


in various shades of yellow, in accordance with the 
amount of silver or copper it may contain, and yet 
to the practiced eye of a true mineralogist it never 
loses the true gold hue. 

Iron pyrites, which is composed of sulphur and 
iron, and called “pyrite,” mineralogically, has a 
color somewhat similar to that of gold, and so also 
has a mineral called “ chalcopyrite,” or copper 
pyrites, which contains copper, iron and sulphur. 
These, with others, vary in the yellow shade and 
degrees of color, but by the practiced eye are in¬ 
stantly detected. Of course the brittleness of these 
minerals is unlike the softness of native gold, and 
this would instantly reveal the fact that they were 
not gold, but we are now speaking of the practiced 
eye alone, and therefore of the benefit of cultivating 
a knowledge by sight of minerals. The mode in 
which a mineral breaks when smartly struck with 
a hammer, or pressed with the point of a knife, is a 
character of importance. Many minerals can only 
be broken in certain directions, for instance, a 
crystal of calc spar can only be split parallel to the 
faces of a rhombohedron; many crystals break 
more readily in one direction than in others. 
Whenever a mineral breaks with a smooth, flat, even 
surface, it is said to exhibit cleavage. Cleavage always 
depends upon the crystalline form. But minerals 
often break in irregular directions, having no con¬ 
nection whatever with the crystalline form, and this 
kind of breaking is called fracture; the broken 
surfaces are usually irregular or conchoidal ( i . e., 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


3 


with concave or convex outlines like shells). The 
color and appearance of the line or furrow on the 
surface of a mineral, when scratched or rubbed, is 
called the streak, which is best obtained by means 
of a hard-tempered knife or a file. The color of a 
mineral and its streak may correspond, or the min¬ 
eral and its streak may possess different colors, or 
the mineral may be colored, while its streak is 
colorless. For instance, cinnabar has both a red 
color and a red streak; specular iron has a black 
color, but a red streak ; sapphire has a blue color, 
but a white colorless streak. The streak of most 
minerals is dull and pulverulent, but a few exhibit 
a shining streak like that formed on scratching a 
piece of lead or copper. This kind of streak is dis¬ 
tinguished by the name of metallic. In judging the 
streak of a mineral, much weathered pieces should 
be rejected. 

Hardness is another character of great importance 
in distinguishing minerals; it is the quality of re¬ 
sisting abrasion. The diamond is the hardest sub¬ 
stance known, as it will scratch all others. Talc is 
one of the softest minerals. Other minerals possess 
intermediate degrees of hardness. To express how 
hard any mineral is, it becomes necessary to com¬ 
pare it with some known standard. Ten standards 
of different degrees have been chosen, and are given 
in order in the following scale: 

1. Talc, easily scratched by the finger-nail. 

2. Gypsum, does not easily yield to the finger¬ 
nail, nor will it scratch a copper coin. 


4 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


> harder than flint or quartz. 




3. Calcite, scratches a copper coin, but is also 
scratched by a copper coin. 

4. Fluorite, is not scratched by a copper coin, and 
does not scratch glass. 

5. Apatite, scratches glass with difficulty; is 
readily scratched by a knife. 

6 . Feldspar, scratches glass with ease; is difficult 
to scratch by a knife. 

7. Quartz, cannot be scratched by a knife, and 
readily scratches glass. 

8. Topaz, 

9. Corundum , 

10. Diamond, scratches any substance. 

If on drawing a knife across a mineral it is im¬ 
pressed as easily as calcite, its hardness is said to be 
3. If a mineral scratches quartz, but is itself 
scratched by topaz, its hardness is between 7 and 8. 

In trying the hardness of a mineral, a sound por¬ 
tion of the mineral should be chosen and a sharp 
angle used in trying to scratch. A streak of dust 
on scratching one mineral with another may come 
from the waste of either, and it cannot be deter¬ 
mined which is the softer until after wiping off the 
dust and examining with a lens. 

Some minerals have a brilliant lustre like that of 
metals; in others the lustre resembles that of glass, 
or silk, or resin, or wax, while others are dull or 
destitute of lustre. The lustre of the diamond is 
called adamantine, while the terms applied to other 
kinds of lustre are : vitreous or stony, metallic, pearly, 
silky, resinous . 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


5 


What has previously been said of color may also 
be said of weight and form. A lump of pyrite in 
the hands of a skillful mineralogist would be dis¬ 
tinguished from gold by its weight, since a mass of 
gold of the same size would weigh at least three 
times as much. Three crystalline pieces, the one 
of barite, the other two of lime carbonate and of 
quartz, may to the unskillful eye appear equally 
transparent; but the form of the first is tabular, that 
of the latter two is in six-sided crystals, but the lime 
carbonate crystals terminate in three sides, while 
the quartz always (like the sides) in six. 

These distinctions may appear to be only scien¬ 
tific abstractions, but they are sometimes of seriously 
great practical importance. A large amount of iron 
ore in Jefferson Co., New York, was condemned as 
being covered with quartz from the fact that the 
minute crystals which appeared had six sides; but 
the author by means of his pocket lens noticed that 
none of the terminations were six-sided, and there¬ 
fore that they could not be quartz, which renders 
iron ore injurious to the furnace. They were 
crystals of lime, which is no detriment, but rather a 
benefit to iron ore. This simple discovery restored 
several thousand tons of ore to the market. At 
another time the author was shown a nearly tran¬ 
sparent specimen taken by the finder to be a piece 
of calcite found the same day on an island in Lake 
Erie, but calcite, in crystalline shape and transpar¬ 
ent, takes a rhomboidal form, and this appeared as 
though several tablets had been joined together at 


6 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

the edges. It was tabular in form, which form is 
never taken by lime (calcite), then on handling the 
specimen its weight, together with its form, showed 
that it was baryte, or sulphate of barytes. A visit to 
the island led to the discovery of many tons. It is 
now a very valuable mine. 

We have presented these illustrations to show that 
a knowledge of technical mineralogy is of the first 
importance to the prospector. By technical miner¬ 
alogy we mean only that amount of mineralogical 
knowledge which will be needed to recognize val¬ 
uable minerals and metals, and to trace them to 
their hiding-places, and this amount of mineralogi¬ 
cal skill can be most thoroughly acquired, although, 
of course, it forms but a small part of the whole 
subject of mineralogy as a science. 

Besides a knowledge of the forms under which the 
minerals we seek present themselves, it is also neces¬ 
sary to learn the characteristics of some of the rocks 
which are generally associated with those minerals. 
The object of this knowledge is to serve in directing 
us to those regions where we may with greater 
probability discover the minerals we seek. It also 
serves to warn us out of a region where we should 
not expect to find what w T e desire. 

To illustrate, we may not expect to find iron ores 
of a certain kind, brown hematites for instance, in 
a granitic country. On the other hand we may 
find the magnetic ores in such a region, and it is 
useless to explore a granitic region for black band 
iron ore, although it may be the proper region to 
discover red hematite. 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 7 

It is, therefore, important that the prospector 
should be able to distinguish many of the geologic 
rocks to help in guiding or in checking him, in his 
explorations. 

A general knowledge, therefore, of the manner in 
which the geologic rocks are “ laid down,” their 
order, or succession, in the earth, is important, and 
the distinction between sedimentary and that which 
has been, and is usually called “ igneous rock,” but 
more properly “ azoic rock,” that is, rock which 
does not exhibit any remains of fossil or organic 
life. For often the only signs by which we can, 
with any degree of certainty, determine what is the 
name of the sedimentary rock is by finding the re¬ 
mains of former life, that is, the kind of fossil it 
contains. Prof. Dana says (The Amer. Journal of 
Science, Nov. and Dec., 1890) that it is settled that 
the kind of rock in itself considered is not a safe 
criterion of geological age. 

If all the rocks in the world had been laid down 
in regularly horizontal sequence and had always re¬ 
mained in their own separate “ horizons,” as every 
rock of the same age is called, not only should we 
find them all parallel, one over the other, but we 
might readily determine to some extent what were 
the exact order and distance of any one horizon, or 
geological age. But, although there is a general 
order, the same in all parts of the world, there have 
been upheavals and sinkings, dislocations and 
erosions, during the ages, so that it is necessary 
that the prospector should become acquainted with 


8 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


the various changes probable in the order and forms 
of the vast rocks which carry the minerals for 
which he is seeking. 

Some of these movements of the earth’s crust are 
represented in Fig. 1. 


Fig. 1. 



Section showing contorted strata due to lateral pressure, aa, “ an¬ 
ticlinal axes; ” c, the “synclinal axis.’’ The direction of the arrows, ee, ee, is 
that of “ the strike.” That of the arrows dd, is that of “ the dip ” of the strata, 
always measured from the horizon: gg, are the out-crops. 


PRACTICAL GEOLOGY. 

We repeat that it is of considerable importance 
that the prospector should have at least some general 
knowledge of those geological horizons with which 
his work is specially associated. As we have inti¬ 
mated, useful minerals do not always confine them¬ 
selves to one horizon ; but there are certain ranges 
of rock which indicate their vicinity. There are 












PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


9 


also limits which are never overpassed by some use¬ 
ful minerals, and experience has shown that some 
horizons are always sterile in ores, and it is there¬ 
fore useless ever to expect to find them in paying 
quantities, in certain rocks or beyond them in cer¬ 
tain directions. 

Gold often occurs where it will not pay to open 
and work the strata, so also with lead and copper. 
It is well to learn the relations of such barren 
regions, or horizons, as the strata are called. 

In the following table we have given chief place 
to those horizons which have been found in our 
own country to abound in the useful minerals, and 
we advise the possession of small specimens of the 
principal rocks mentioned and the special examina¬ 
tion of the specimens under a good lens, so as to be¬ 
come thoroughly acquainted with their appearance 
and their minute parts of composition. 

All rock may be classified as— 

1. Igneous. 

2. Metamorphic. 

3. Aqueous. 

Speaking geologically, not only the hard consoli¬ 
dated massive and stony substances are called 
“ rocks,” but any natural deposits of stony material 
such as sand, earth, or clay, when in natural beds, 
are geological rocks. Very few of the rocks of this 
earth, at any rate so far as examined, are in their 
original and primal condition. Even the granites 
and volcanic rocks are composed of other and more 
ancient material disintegrated, ground up, or worn 


10 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

down, settled, buried, and compressed by ages of 
enormous pressure, or consolidated by cementation. 
Some have been v laid down ” under water, having 
been disintegrated into dust carried by the winds of 
ages out over the oceans and seas and settled down 
into the form of the present rocks, which afterward 
have been lifted up into mountains and plains 
above the seas. But by the transporting power of 
rivers or currents in ancient oceans, and because of 
unequal upheaval of some regions where subter¬ 
ranean forces were greater than at distant places, 
very large differences in the nature of the deposit 
have occurred, even in limited regions. These 
special and limited forces will account for the fact 
that although, taking the geological horizons 
throughout the world, there is a general sameness, 
differences do occur, and important members of the 
order of succession are omitted in some regions, and 
exceptions to general rules occur. 

We give, therefore, in the table following, those 
universally accepted relations of certain rocks, one 
to another, in the great geologic arrangement of the 
world, omitting some of the subsidiary limited and 
unimportant horizons. 

1. IGNEOUS ROCKS are such as have been sub¬ 
jected to sufficient heat to melt the ingredi¬ 
ents. Of these rocks— 

Volcanic rocks are those which have been cooled 
near or at the surface, as lavas, etc. 

Trachyte; a grayish rock of rough fracture; the 
same specific gravity as quartz, but mainly 


PRIMARY OR PALEOZIC. SECONDARY OR TERTIARY OR 

MESOZOIC. CENOZOIC. 


STRATIFIED ROCKS. 


GENERAL DIVISIONS. 

SUBDIVISIONS. 

CHARACTERISTICS. 

RECENT, 

PLEISTOCENE, 

OR QUARTERNARY. 

All its shells and bones 
are of existing species. 

About 50 per cent, of ex¬ 
isting species of shells. 

Contains 80 percent, of 
extinct species. 

Contains fresh water and 
marine strata, animals all 
extinct. 

arrt?Fi r nri^^?^nco^ ri r k and , ot ] lor clays, gypsum, sand, phosphate of lime deposits such as 
arid?um, 2efeJra^d Tm ’ & elsewhere - GOLD in the drift and alluvial, also PLATINUM 

ZeSanc? 6 ^ °I - thi i Period - occur in India, Indian Archipelago, Japan, New 

ete ^ThcY™^ Eorope; also in California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, 
a , cpal (anthracite and bituminous) belongs to the Carboniferous only. 

A \ery hard lignite exists at Gay Head, Martha’s Vineyard, in this formation. 

PLIOCENE. 

MIOCENE. 

EOCENE. 

CRETACEOUS. 

Upper. 

Middle. 

Lower. 

cfcSSt“" Mlt the ^ Wer }seltcffns le et? rmatt0 " ^»eUs, S po„ge S , 

Contains Greensand in England and in New Jersey, used as a marl and fertilizer There is a 
supposed Cretaceous lignite in Alaska, ( olorado, California, Utahetc! 1 e ° a 

Consists of sand, clay, or marl, the sand used in glass making. 

JURASSIC. 

Lias 

Whealden. 

Portland Stone. 
Oxford Group. 
Stonesfield Slate. 

Some English coal is found in the Oolite. Kimmeridge clay is found in upper Oolite * the fine 
Bavanan lithographic stone in the middle Oolite. ** ’ 

Limestone in horizontal 
strata. 

ston” SPiCU ° U8 f ° r thG number of ammoni tes and nautilus shells. Furnishes building and paving 

TRIASSIC. 

Keuper. 

Muschelkalk. 

Bunter-sand stone. 

Called by the Germans TRIAS. 

Connecticut river sandstone with footprints. 

Red clays, marls, shales and sandstones. The New Red Sandstone of England 

In Europe great salt beds. 6 

PERMIAN. 

Dark red sandstone. 
Magnesian limestone. 
Conglomerates, Breccias, 
Marls in all three. 

Mostly sandstones and marlytes, some impure magnesian limestone and gypsum. Thin seams 

Sbnv?’XhfSSJr' f \ ex ^ ept T °*' BR0WN HEMATITE iron ore and the metals mentioned 
abo\e, all the other metals are found in the formations below. 

CARBONIFEROUS. 

Seams of Anthracite and 
bituminous coals of vary¬ 
ing thicknesses. 

Millstone grit. 
Subcarboniferous. 

The black band iron ore. Limestone from the same mines with the coal in Great Britain but 
not so lrequently m America. Anthracite, cannel, and bituminous coal in seams in limestone 
standstone, and shales, lormingthe “ The Coal Measures.” 

MnnNTATNuSKS Pennsylvania Ohio and elsewhere, and salines in Michigan. It is the 
MOUNTAIN LIME-CLONE of England. Largely of corals. 

DEVONIAN. 

Catskill Period. 
Chemung Period. 
Hamilton Period. 
Comiferous Period. 

Includes the OLD RED SANDSTONE OF ENGLAND. 

Hamilton black shales produce oil, the Hamilton beds afford excellent flagging stoue. 
Comiferous called also Upper Helderberg group. 

Upper 

SILURIAN. 

Lower! 

Oriskany Sandstone. 
Lower Hel'derberg Period. 
Salina Period. 
Niagara Period. 

Salina Period supplies the salt waters of Salina and Syracuse, N. Y. 

Trenton Period. 
Canadian Period. 
Potsdam Sandstone. 

Period LEAD MINES of Iowa and Wisconsin are in the Magnesian Limestone of the Canadian 


Cambrian. 

Laurentian. 

ARCHAEAN. 



(Between pages 10 and 11.) 

































































































































PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


11 


constituted of grains of glassy feldspar. It 
is essentially a unisilicate of alumina, with 
10 to 15 per cent, potash, a little soda and 
lime. Differs from quartz in that it fuses 
before the blow-pipe, while quartz remains 
unfused except when soda is used. 

Basalt; blackish or dark brown. Traps, green¬ 
stone, dolerite, amydolite ; these latter four are 
only modifications, being all unisilicates with 
smaller amounts of potash than in trachyte, a 
little more soda and lime, and some traces of 
iron and magnesia, varying in color and 
form. 

Obsidian is a glass, something like bottle glass, 
of a dark shade, and translucent. 

All these are compact in texture, except where 
some holes have been worn in by steam or gases. 
They are frequently found penetrating several strata, 
having been forced up in columns almost vertically, 
and sometimes spreading out horizontally for many 
miles between the strata or on the surface, and are 
called volcanic dykes, or intrusive rocks, or lava. 
These and such-like are igneous rocks. 4 

It is not certain that granite rocks are of igneous 
origin, but they seem to belong to the metamorphic 
series. 

2. METAMORPHIC; these are of igneous, sub¬ 
sequently to the time when they were of 
aqueous origin, and have undergone a change 
through pressure and heat, and, perhaps, in 


12 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

connection with steam or water. Of this 
class are the following : 

Gneiss, having a composition of small pieces of 
feldspar, mica, and quartz, like some granites, 
but laminated or foliated in form, and not 
equally solid, homogeneous, and continuous 
throughout its structure as granite is. 

Mica Schist. This term is given to those 
laminated rocks composed of mica and quartz 
in small particles, easily broken up, but 
more easily broken into tabular or leaf-like 
pieces, because the mica has been deposited 
in planes allowing of cleavage. 

3. THE AQUEOUS KOCKS are simple water 
rocks—that is, rocks composed of sediments 
from the dust or ground-up remains of other 
rocks. The presence of such sediments is 
due to the transporting power of rivers, 
floods, or currents, and also of winds and 
storms and other agencies, carrying the dust 
to the ocean waters where it was arrested and 
became a sediment. 

In sandstone (Fig. 2), the grains of sand are 
rounded, having no sharp edges as in granite. 

Where the sedimentary material was exceedingly 
dust-like, it sometimes is laid down as fine mud and 
frequently in lamina, as in shale (Fig. 3). 

Granite is a term descriptive of rocks generally 
composed of quartz, feldspar and mica, in grains 
(hence the name) of a crystalline form. But the 
granites are not all alike in the amount of either of 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


13 


the above-mentioned minerals, nor are they alike in 
color. Some granites contain no mica, as in graphic 
granite, only quartz and feldspar, and the quartz in 

Fig. 2. 



Sandstone. 


the feldspar resembling written characters. Others 
containing hornblende as well as mica, or in the 

Fig. 3. 



Shale. 

place of mica; the hornblende being in dark or 
black crystalline specks, pieces, or crystals, and con¬ 
sisting, essentially, of silica, magnesia, lime, and 


















14 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

iron. This granite is called syenite granite. Where 
the feldspar is in distinct crystals in compact base, 
and sometimes lighter than the base, which is 
frequently reddish, purple, or dark green, it is a 
porphyritic granite. The granites are sometimes 
whitish, grayish, or flesh-red. They are considered 
as metamorphic and not igneous (Dana), although 
some authors still consider them to be igneous. 

' They always present a crystalline grain in varying 
degrees of fineness and prominence. One form is 
given in Fig. 4, from a specimen in the author’s 
possession. 


Fig. 4. 



Granite with black mica and feldspar crystals, with quartz as chief base. 

This specimen contained two kinds of mica, one 
black, biotiie, the other white, of silvery appearance, 
muscovite. The biotite presented in spots the ap¬ 
pearance of hornblende, and only the pen-knife 
point showed the scaly lamination of mica under 
the lens. It also contained crystalline forms of 
potash feldspar ( orthoclase ), distinguishable from the 
quartz by their side only, by the-lamellar fracture 
of its edges, and its peculiar vitreous glimmer, for 
practically the hardness appears the same, although 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


15 


feldspar is (6.6 and quartz 7) slightly softer. It 
would be well for the prospector to gather many 
forms of granite and examine them under the lens 
* until he becomes thoroughly used to the variations. 

The Blow-Pipe. A great deal can be learnt re¬ 
specting a mineral by a few simple trials with the 
blow-pipe, and every prospector should learn to use 
it. The only requirements are a plain brass blow¬ 
pipe about 7 to 10 inches long, a candle, a forceps 
or pliers, a piece of platinum wire, dried carbonate 
of soda, dried borax and cyanide of potassium. The 
charcoal selected for these experiments should be 
free from cracks and openings. By dry carbonate 
of soda is meant not merely dry to the touch, but 
quite free from water; this may be prepared from 
common washing-soda by expelling the water which 
it contains. Put the washing-soda in a shallow, 
clean iron dish, and place it over a clear fire until 
a white dr}^ powder is formed; avoid too strong a 
heat, otherwise the dry powder might fuse. A 
quarter of an ounce may be kept in a well-corked 
bottle or tube for use. Bicarbonate of soda may be 
used instead without previous heating, or if the bi¬ 
carbonate be moderately heated it loses weight, and 
becomes carbonate of soda, quite free from water, like 
the above. 

The borax is to be dried in the same way; a 
quarter of an ounce will be enough. It is conven¬ 
ient to keep the platinum wire in the same tube. 
Unless these tubes are well corked, these chemicals 
reabsorb moisture, For testing tin ore it is useful 


16 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

to have a little cyanide of potassium kept in a bottle, 
with the cork and rim well covered with melted 
beeswax ; it would otherwise liquefy by absorption 
of moisture and become useless. It is a most 
dangerous poison, and the greatest caution must be 
observed in its use. 

The blowpipe should have a fine jet, or aperture, 
wide enough to admit of a fine needle. The mode 
of using it may be readily acquired by first breath¬ 
ing through the nostrils with the lips closed, then 
puffing out the cheeks (as if rinsing the mouth with 
water), still keeping the lips closed, and breathing 
as before. The blow-pipe may at this point be 
slipped between the lips, and it will be found that 
a current of air escapes through it without any 
effort on the part of the operator. Air flows through 
the pipe owing to the tendency of the distended 
cheeks to collapse ; it must never be forced from the 
lungs. After a little practice the strength of the 
current may be increased. By breathing entirely 
through the nostrils, keeping the lips closed, the 
blast may be kept up for ten minutes or longer 
without exhaustion or inconvenience, except a slight 
fatigue of the lips in holding the blow-pipe. The 
beginner may practice blowing upon a piece of 
charcoal. The charcoal should, for convenience 
sake, be cut into slices of some six inches long by 
three-quarters to an inch wide and half inch thick. 
Place a piece of lead, or a pin-head, or fragment of 
pyrite (iron pyrites), near the end of the charcoal, 
and learn to blow the flame of a candle to a point 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


17 


upon the object. However awkward the blow-pipe 
may feel at first, practice will soon enable the 
learner to be expert. At first it may be necessary 
to gouge a small hole or recess in the coal with the 
point of your pen-knife, in order to prevent the 
specimen from being blown away. But after many 
trials such a command will be had over the blast 
that the hole may be made sufficiently deep by 
simply turning the point of the flame upon the coal 
and burning out a cavity. 


Fig. 5. 



A, the blue or reducing flame; B, the oxidizing flame ; C, the end of blow-pipe. 



By placing the end of blow-pipe in the flame thus, the oxidizing flame, 
A, is made more efficient. 


Study the two colors of a sperm candle flame 
(Fig. 5). Notice that there is a yellow flame out¬ 
side and nearer the top, and then within the flame 
there may be seen a bluish, probably a true blue 
flame. These flames act differently on the same 












18 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

substance. The outer 0 F , or yellow flame, is 
called the “ oxidizing flame,” the inner the “ reducing 
flame,” R F or I F. By blowing properly, these 
two flames may be made to turn horizontally, or 
even downward, and then either the 0 flame or the 
R flame may be turned on the “ assay ” (as the ob¬ 
ject on the charcoal may be called). Get a piece of 
iron ore as large as a pin-head and place it in a 
little cavity on the charcoal, then cover it with a 
quantity of soda carbonate as large as the assay. 
Now turn the R flame down on the soda and ore, 
and in a few seconds the ore will melt and be re¬ 
duced to metallic iron, and your magnetized knife- 
blade will pick it and the soda up. In this experi¬ 
ment a piece of red or brown hematite, or a piece of 
pyrite (iron pyrites), should be used, as neither will 
be attracted by the knife-blade before the ore is re¬ 
duced to metallic iron. The reason for this action 
on the part of the ore is that the ore is metallic iron 
combined with oxygen, and the R or blue flame calls 
for more oxygen than it possesses, so that when it is 
turned upon the hot oxide of iron it takes the 
oxygen it calls for, from the ore and leaves the iron 
in a metallic state. But in the pyrite, which is iron 
and sulphur, the latter is partially driven off by 
either flame; and this process, on a larger scale, is 
called “roasting.” The soda absorbs a part of the 
sulphur and part remains in the iron, but not so 
much but that the magnetized knife-blade will at¬ 
tract it. The last experiment is good for experi¬ 
mental practice, but not for illustrating the two 
properties of the flame. 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


19 


The following is an excellent illustration and 
practice in showing the characteristic power of 
either flame. Get some platinum wire of the size 
of a large horse-hair. Wrap it around a match, 
leaving an end extending an inch and a half beyond 
the match end, then roll the end of the wire around 
another match until you have bent the end of the 
wire into a small loop (Fig. 6). Prepare a little 
powder of common borax, and then, heating the 
wire loop in the general flame, plunge it quickly 
into the powdered borax. It will immediately pick 
up a quantity of the powder, and then, by turning 
the flame upon the borax, you will have a clear and 

Fig. 6. 

A 

</ ///////// ~n -° 

Appearance and size of wire and loop, A. 

perfectly transparent bead filling the little loop on 
the end of the wire. You are now ready for the 
experiment of illustrating the special properties of 
the two flames, which we shall now describe. 

Obtain some black oxide of manganese, from any 
druggist, and dropping a little upon a clean sheet of 
letter paper, heat your borax bead red-hot in the 
flame and quickly touch with the hot bead a par¬ 
ticle of the black oxide—it will stick to the bead— 
then turn the outer or 0 flame upon the bead and 
blow till the particle of oxide of manganese has en¬ 
tirely dissolved—it will impart to the bead a beauti- 




20 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

fill amethystine-purple. Now turn the inner flame, 
that is, the. R flame, upon the bead, and in a few 
seconds (according to skill in keeping the R flame 
steadily on the bead) the color will disappear, but it 
will return when the 0 flame is used again. 

These efforts will give practice, ending in sufficient 
skill to enable the learner to use the blow-pipe as 
directed in the future parts of this work. 

The various reactions of different substances are 
given in the body of this work as they are called for 
when the substances are described. 

A glass tube of a little less than three-eighths of an 
inch in diameter may be made into a blow-pipe as 
follows: Take a piece of such a tube, ten or twelve 
inches long, soften the tube by red heat in an alco¬ 
hol flame, and draw it out to a small diameter— 
cool and scratch or file it at the smallest diameter 
—break it off, introduce the tube into the flame 
again and bend the glass to a right angle, about 
two inches off from the point—cool gradually—and 
heat the mouth end, opening it a little by introduc¬ 
ing a small dry pine stick, cool it, and you have a 
very efficient blow-pipe when another of metal can¬ 
not be had. 

Note: If your platinum loop will not hold the 
borax bead, then it is too large. Make a smaller 
loop. If it is dimmed or blackened by smoke, heat 
it red-hot—it will clear up. 

The three principal means of chemically testing 
minerals before the blow-pipe are (1) with borax ; 
(2) on charcoal, usually with the addition of car- 


PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


21 


bonate of soda; (3) by holding in the oxidizing 
point. 

In connection with this the following experiments 
given by Alexander M. Thomson, I). Sc., are of in¬ 
terest- : 

Experiment No. 1 .—Many metals impart a color 
to fused borax, by which their presence can be 
recognized. To try this experiment, a bead of 
fused borax must first be obtained on the platinum 
wire. The end of the wire is bent into a loop or 
ring about the twelfth part of an inch in diameter. 
The wire is then heated in the blow-pipe flame, and 
dipped whilst hot into the borax; the portion of 
borax that adheres is then fused on to the wire in 
the blow-pipe flame, and the hot wire is again 
dipped ; this is repeated until the loop contains a 
glass-like bead of borax. If the bead has become 
cloudy, the soot causing this may be burnt off in 
the oxidizing point of the flame. Having thus ob¬ 
tained a clear, colorless, transparent bead, the next 
step is to add to it a minute portion of the mineral 
which is to be tested. By touching a little of the 
finely pulverized mineral with the borax bead, 
while softened by heat, enough will adhere to the 
bead for a first trial. The bead is then kept at a 
white heat in the oxidizing point of the flame for a 
few seconds, and on removal its color is noted, both 
whilst hot and when cold. If no color is imparted, 
a fresh trial may be made with a larger quantity of 
the powder; but if the bead is opaque owing to the 
depth of color, as is often the case, a fresh experi- 


22 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

ment must be made, using a still smaller quantity 
of the powder. The color can only fairly be judged 
in a perfectly transparent bead. If no color can be 
obtained in the oxidizing point, further experiment 
with the borax bead is needless ; but if a color is ob¬ 
tained, it is then advisable to try the effect of the 
reducing flame upon the same bead. The following 
observations and inferences may result from this 
test: 

COLOR OF BEAD IN 

Oxidizing. Reducing. Presence of 

Green (hot); Blue (cold) . . Red.Copper. 

Blue (hot and cold) .... Blue.Cobalt. 

Amethyst.Colorless.Manganese. 

Green.Green.Chromium. 

Red or yellow (hot) . . > Bottle _ green .i ron . 

Yellow or colorless (cold). J 
Violet (hot) ; Red-brown 

(cold).Gray and turbid, 

difficult to obtain . Nickel. 

This mode of testing may often be used to prove 
the presence of the above-mentioned metals. 

It requires some practice before reliable results 
can be obtained in reducing. The reduced bead if 
brought out of the flame at a white heat, into the 
air, may at once oxidize ; but this may be prevented 
by placing it inside the dark inner cone of an or¬ 
dinary candle flame, and allowing it to cool partially 
there. 

Experiment No. 2 .—The mode of testing with car¬ 
bonate of soda on charcoal, is performed as follows : 
A sound piece of charcoal half an inch square is 









PREPARATORY INSTRUCTION. 


23 


chosen, and a neat cavity is scooped out on its 
surface, into which is placed a mixture containing 
the pulverized mineral to be tested, with three or 
four parts of carbonate of soda, the whole not ex¬ 
ceeding the bulk of a pea. After lightly pressing 
the mixture into the cavity, the blow-pipe flame 
may be cautiously applied to it; and afterwards 
when the mixture no longer shows a tendency to 
fly off, the charcoal may be advanced nearer to the 
blow-pipe, and finally be kept at as high a tempera¬ 
ture as possible, in the reducing part of the flame. 

In testing for tin ore, a piece of cyanide of potas¬ 
sium, about the size of a pea, may be placed upon 
the mixture after the first application of heat, and 
the further application of heat may then be con¬ 
tinued. 

This treatment is designed to extract metals from 
minerals; it favors in the highest degree the re¬ 
moval of oxygen. But like the borax test, it is 
limited in its application, as it can only be used to 
detect certain metals. The failure of the test in any 
case must not be looked upon as a conclusive proof 
of the absence of the particular metal sought; for 
instance, copper can be easily extracted from car¬ 
bonate of copper by this test, but not from copper 
pyrites. Still the test is a most valuable and indis¬ 
pensable one to the mineralogist. The test is com¬ 
plete when the metal is obtained as a globule, in 
the cavity of the charcoal. In many cases the 
globule will be found surrounded by the oxide of 
the metal, forming an incrusation on the charcoal; 


24 prospector’s eield-book and guide. 

and the color of such incrusation should be carefully 
noted, both at the moment of removal from the 
flame, and after cooling. By pressing the globule 
between smooth and hard surfaces, it can be deter¬ 
mined whether the metal is flattened out (or malle¬ 
able), or crushed to pieces (brittle). 

The following observations and inferences may 
result from this test: 


Globule. Incrustation. Presence of 

Yellow, malleable . None.Gold. 

White, malleable. . None.Silver. 

Red, malleable . . . None.Copper. 

White, malleable. White.Tin. 


White, malleable. . Red (hot); Yellow (cold) . . Lead. 
White, brittle . . . Red (hot); Yellow (cold). . Bismuth. 

None.Yellow (hot); White (cold) . Zinc. 

White, brittle, giv¬ 
ing off fumes when 
removed from the 

flame.White..Antimony. 

Experiment No. 3 .—In addition to these substances 
there are others which occur abundantly in minerals, 
and which may be recognized by the blow-pipe with 
the greatest ease; for instance, sulphur and arsenic. 
These may be discovered by heating a fragment of 
the mineral, supported on a piece of charcoal or 
held in a forceps, in the oxidizing point of the 
flame, and comparing the odor which is given off; 
b smell of burning sulphur indicates that the mineral 
contains that substance, and white fumes having a 
garlic odor indicate the presence of arsenic. 

Mercury, antimony, and other substances may 
escape as fumes when heated in this manner. 









CHAPTER II. 


CRYSTALLOGRAPHY. 

The forms which many minerals assume always 
indicate their composition. It is, therefore, some¬ 
times a great help to the prospector to become ac¬ 
quainted with the subject of crystallography so far 
as to enable him to determine the system or order 
to which a crystal belongs. 

We shall treat of the subject only so far as may 
be of practical application to the purposes of the 
prospector in the search for the useful minerals. 

It is necessary to understand that nearly all 
mineral substances, when they appear in the crys¬ 
talline condition, assume a characteristic form and 
do not trespass upon that of other minerals; al¬ 
though, to the unaided eye arid unskilled vision, 
this assertion may appear to be a mistake in some, 
few cases, it appears so only because the differences 
are exceedingly small. 

All crystalline forms have been reduced to six 
systems. These are determined by the number, in¬ 
clination, and length of imaginary lines called 
axes, around which the crystal in its perfect form is, 
for each system, uniformly distributed. 

1. The Isometric system. The^r^ and simplest 
system is that of a perfect cube with six equal and 
(25) 


26 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


square sides, as in Fig. 7. In this form lines drawn 
from the centre of each face to the face opposite, 
cross each other at right angles , and are of the same 
length. 

This system is called isometric, that is, iso equal , 
and metric measure, because these axes or lines are of 
equal length and at right angles to each other. It 
must, however, be remembered that the cube is 
modified in some minerals, but wherever these modi¬ 
fications take place the original form of the cube 
may always be traced. Some of the changes may 
be very intricate, and these especially unusual or in¬ 
tricate forms we shall not notice. The usual forms 
only are of importance, and can be treated of in so 
small a work as this. 

The learner should take a potato and cut as per¬ 
fect a cube as possible, and make himself acquainted 
with the common variations which may belong to 
the cube, as we shall show, with¬ 
out changing the length of the 
axis, and always cutting so that 
the axis will always be the same or 
of equal lengths. 

Fig. 7 is the cube with the three 
axes A A', B B', C C'. If, with 
your knife, you slice off one edge 
angle from A to C f and from A to C, and in 
manner from A to B' and from A to B, you 


Fig. 7. 


B 


y 

~T~K 


C ; j 


Ncf 

\ 

.F~”\ 


The Cube. 


like 

will 


have a four-sided pyramid, the apex of which will 
be at A and the four-sided base at C B', C' B, or 
around one-half the cube. Now, treat the opposite 





CRYSTALLOGRAPHY. 


27 


side in the same way and you will then have the 
following figure, which is the octahedron (Fig. 8). 

The dodecahedron (12 sides), Fig. 9, may be 
formed by taking off the solid angles A, B, B,' A '. 
In all three cases and many others, the three axes 
remain the same in length and in their angular 
direction where the forms have not been distorted. 



2. The tetragonal system is the second, and it 
has also three axes as in the isometric, and they are 
at right angles to each other, but the vertical axis 
is longer than the others, as in Fig. 10. 

The term tetragonal means “ four-cornered or an¬ 
gled,” and is not precise, for a cube is tetragonal, 
but it is used to express this form because it is one 
word; otherwise “ square prismatic ” would be a 
more correct description, since Fig. 10 is that of a 
prism ; for in mineralogy any crystal having paral¬ 
lelograms for sides is called a prism. Cut this 
prism as in the case of the cube, and you will have 
the form seen in Fig. 11. 

Variations upon this form may show a prism with 
four-sided termination at either or both ends, as in 





28 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

Fig. 12. This is the form of the transparent gem 
called the zircon, anciently called the jacinth. The 
zircon has been mistaken for the diamond, which it 
resembles in brilliancy and somewhat in hardness. 
But the diamond is isometric and never tetragonal, 


Fig. 10. Fig. 11. Fig. 12. 



Tetragonal Prism. Tetragonal Octahedron. The Zircon. 


and hence it may be distinguished readily from the 
zircon. 

3. The third system is the hexagonal (or six- 
sided), which differs from the tetragonal in that it 
has three equal lateral axes instead of two; the 
vertical is at right angles (as in Fig. 13) with each 
of the three lateral. 

But it must be remembered that the hexagonal 
crystal always calls for hexagonal terminations; 
thus Figs. 14 and 15. 

Owing to various causes in nature, the hexagonal 
crystal may be found under various modifications 
of the hexagonal form, but it can always be reduced 
to this system. The symmetry of the crystals may 
be by sixes, or, very rarely, by cutting each angle 









CRYSTALLOGRAPHY. 


29 


it may be in twelves, or the sides may be unequal in 
area or length, as in Fig. 14. The author once found 
a quartz crystal in Switzerland which was, for nearly 
its entire length, three-sided, but showed its liexa- 


Fig. 13. Fig. 14. Fig. 15. 



Hexagonal Prism. Quartz Crystals—Hexagonal. 


gonal nature only at the extremity, where, having- 
been freed from its confinement in process of forma¬ 
tion, it had assumed its normal crystallization. As 
we have said in another place, calcite crystals some¬ 
times assume an hexagonal prism precisely as does 
quartz, but the latter shows always six-sided termin¬ 
ations, whereas lime or calcite crystals show three- 
sided terminations, as in Figs. 16 and 17. There 
are two sections or forms of this system, the hexa¬ 
gonal and the rhombohedral; both belonging to the 
hexagonal system and distinguished, as we have 
shown. 

These calcite crystals belong to the rhombohedral 
section of the hexagonal system, showing rhombo¬ 
hedral forms at the end, as in Fig. 11. 

4. The fourth system is the orthorhombic sys¬ 
tem, in which the three axes are unequal and inter¬ 
sect at right angles as in Fig. 18, wherein the axes 

















30 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


A, B, C, are all unequal in length, but at right 
angles at the intersection. The terminations are 


Fig. 16. Fig. 17. 



Calcite hexagonal crystals—three-sided The same—end view, 

termination. Side view. 


flat, although frequently beveled on the surround¬ 
ing edges. 

5. The fifth system is the monoclinic. In this 
system two of the axial intersections are at right 
angles; but one is oblique, and the side of the 
crystal is inclined, as in Fig. 19. 


Fig. is. 


Fig. 19. 



Crystals of feldspar in general which contain 
potash (called orthoclase or potash feldspar), are 



















CRYSTALLOGRAPHY. 


31 


monoclinic, but the soda feldspar crystals belong to 
the next or sixth system, as do also the lime feld¬ 
spars. 

6. The sixth system is the triclinic or “ thrice in¬ 
clined ” system, wherein the three axes are all in¬ 
clined and unequal. The only important feature 
in this system is that there is no right angle in any 
of its crystals; but it is of little use for our pur¬ 
poses, since, with the exception of the lime feldspar 
and soda-lime feldspars (anorthite or lime feldspar, 
labodorite or lime-soda feldspar, andesite, and oligo- 
clase, both soda-lime feldspars, and albite, a soda 
feldspar), all the rest are of little importance, ex¬ 
cept microcline, a new potash feldspar. 

As ILLUSTRATIONS OF THESE SYSTEMS the follow¬ 
ing may be stated : 

Of the isometric system, or first system, are gold, 
silver, platinum, amalgam, copper, the diamond, 
garnet, magnetite, pyrite, galena, alum, kalinite, all 
of which assume the cubic octahedral, or some allied 
form. 

Of the tetragonal, or second system, are the zir¬ 
con, chalco-pyrite, cassiterite (tin ore), titanic oxide, 
and others. 

Of the hexagonal, or third system, are beryl, 
aquamarine, the emerald, chrysoberyl, apatite (lime- 
phosphate), quartz. 

Of the orthorhombic, or fourth system, are, 
baryte or sulphate of barytes, celestite, or sulphate 
of strontia, and carbonate of strontia, also cerussite 
or lead carbonate. 


32 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Of the monoclinic, or fifth system, are, borax, 
gypsum, glauber salt (mirabilite is its mineralogical 
name), copperas (or melanterite). 

Of the sixth system we have already given suffi¬ 
cient illustrations. 

Of the gems not mentioned in the above, the tur- 
quois owes its blue to copper, and is never crystal¬ 
lized, being in reniform or stalactitic conditions. It 
is a phosphate of alumina with water in composi¬ 
tion. This mineral or gem should be carefully 
distinguished from lazulite, which, though blue, 
crystallizes in the monoclinic, or fifth system ; it is a 
softer mineral and contains considerable magnesia, 
lime, and iron, of which (except a very small 
amount of iron), the true turquois contains none. 
The latter is the gem, and may be beautifully 
polished, and keeps its color, which is due to copper. 
Lazulite is found in beautiful crystals at Crowder’s 
Mount, in Lincoln Co., N. C. ; also fifty miles north 
of Augusta, at Graves’s Mount, in Lincoln Co., 
Georgia. 

Both these should also be distinguished from 
lapis lazuli, which also crystallizes, but in the 
isometric or first system, though commonly massive 
and compact. This is valuable in the arts, and 
when powdered forms the ultramarine, a rich and 
durable paint. It is a silicate of alumina, but con¬ 
tains some lime and iron. It is used also for costly 
vases. But the artificially prepared ultramarine is 
largely used in the arts. The native mineral is 
found in syenite and in metamorphic crystalline 
limestone, associated with pvrite and mica. 


CRYSTALLOGRAPHY. 


33 


The topaz crystallizes in the orthorhombic sec¬ 
tion of the hexagonal or fourth system. The finest 
are generally in prismatic form, showing a flat plane 
at the extreme end, even when the end of the 
crystal has several inclined faces. It is a silicate of 
alumina with fluorine. The fluorine may be de¬ 
tected before the blow-pipe in the open tube by 
powdering a little of the topaz and mixing it with a 
little microcosmic salt (a salt of phosphorus). The 
heat of the blow-pipe will let free the fluorine and 
its strong pungent smell, and its corrosion of the 
tube, will prove its presence. With the cobalt 
(nitrate) solution on charcoal, it gives a fine blue 
color in proof of alumina. This is the best test of 
the topaz, as the color of the mineral is not always 
the same, nor is it always perfectly transparent. It 
is found at Crowder’s Mount, already spoken of, and 
also in Thomas’s Mountains, in Utah, near lat. 39° 
40' and long. 113J° W. west of south of Salt Lake 
(Dana). In Trumbull, Conn., the crystals are 
abundant, but not very transparent. 

Meteoric Iron has been reported as found native 
in a partial crystal of the isometric form from North 
Carolina, and recently several meteoric masses from 
Arizona have been reported at the Geological Sec¬ 
tion at Washington, D. C., September, 1891, as con¬ 
taining black diamonds, small but interesting. 

Ruby and Sapphire. These crystallize in the 
rhombohedral form. The most precious ruby of the 
deepest red is the East Indian ruby, and some of 
these of a peculiarly vivid red are more valuable 
than the diamond. 

3 


34 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

The garnet is sometimes mistaken for this ruby, 
but the garnet is isometric , and even when cut and 
mounted may be distinguished from the oriental 
ruby by the superior hardness of the ruby, the latter 
being next to the diamond, while the garnet is only 
as hard as quartz, or not quite so hard. So that a 
garnet of the most precious kind if worn will, under 
the strong lens, show the lines of wear, especially on 
the edges, which are absent in the true oriental 
ruby. Oriental garnets are frequently confounded 
with rubies by jewelers in Paris as well as in 
America. So lately as October 3, 1891,* two 
oriental garnets worth about $20 each were found 
to be set in a diamond ring as oriental rubies, for 
which the sum of $2,000 was paid. The firm in 
Paris acknowledged the mistake, and refunded the 
$2,000. The oriental ruby is essentially pure alu¬ 
mina, while the oriental or precious garnet is a 
silicate of alumina with lime and a little iron. 

All these gems are found in the crystalline rocks, 
as granites, gneiss, dolomite, and some (topaz, ruby) 
associated with tourmaline, tin ores, mica, etc., and 
the crystalline lime-stones. The true turquois is 
found in Persia in the clay slates in veins running 
in every direction. Very good specimens have been 
found in Arizona and New Mexico; also in Colo¬ 
rado in the Holy Cross Mining district, thirty miles 
from Leadville. 


*See the Philadelphia Press. 


CHAPTER III. 


SURVEYING. 

There are a few simple measurements which are 
sometimes desirable, and which can be made with¬ 
out the labor of carrying instruments and chains. 
The actual work of surveying, to be of any value to 
the prospector, must be so accurately performed that 
the work should be entered upon as a specialty, and 
he must use a theodolite or transit and make use oi 
logarithms. Any small work on surveying or 
trigonometry will give sufficient information. 

Some few measurements, however, and simple sur¬ 
veys with easy methods, are given here to meet cases 
where only a general approximation is required. 

TO MEASURE HEIGHTS WHICH ARE INACCESSIBLE. 

Any height of tower, stand-pipe, tree, etc., may be 
measured approximately by knowing your own 
height and taking advantage of sunlight, thus : 

Let A B, Fig. 20, be the height of the object to 
be measured. The dotted line is the shadow cast. 
Walk off into the sunlight and note on the ground 
the point at which your own shadow terminates; 
measure from the heel to that point. A calcula¬ 
tion in single “ rule of three ” will give A B thus : 

C' B' : B f A' : : B C : A B. 

(35) 


36 prospector's field-book and guide. 


Heights of hills or land may be nearly enough 
measured by the aneroid barometer, the instructions 
in the use of which go with the instrument, or may 
be obtained with it, and approximately accurate 


Fig. 20. 



B 


C' B' C 


aneroids may be had small enough to go into the 
side pockets, or still more accurate ones may be 
easily carried in a case held by a small strap around 
the shoulders. 


TO MEASURE AREAS. 


Theoretically, it is very easy to “ step off lines,” 
but practically it is very difficult thus to arrive at 
accuracy on uneven land. But where one is ac¬ 
quainted with the exact average measurement oi 
his step on level land he may reach some approxi¬ 
mate accuracy on uneven land by remembering 
that in ascending, even slightly, his average de¬ 
creases, and vice versa in descending. A good strong 
tape measure, kept on a level in ascending and 
descending hills, is more convenient and easily 
handled than a chain. 

1. On square areas the length of the side multi¬ 
plied into that of the adjacent side gives the area. 





SURVEYING. 


37 


Fig. 21. 


2. In the parallelogram, where all angles are 
right angles, the same is true. 

3. In any other shapes the following rules are to 
be observed : 

First: Measure the area of 
a right-angled triangle thus: 

Let B, Fig. 21, be the right- 
angle ; the area of A B C is 
equal to the length, B C 
multiplied into half the 
perpendicular distance, A B. 

Example: B (7= 100 ft.; 
therefore, if A B == 90 ft., 

100 x 45 = 4500 sq. ft. = area of A B C. 

The same rule applies when the triangle is not a 
right-angled triangle; thus, the angle at A, Fig. 22, 
being obtuse. 

Fig. 22. 




DC— 150 ft., A B = 90 ft., multiply 150 ft. by 
one-half A B = 45 ft., and we have 6750 sq. ft., for 
A C D is composed of two right-angled triangles, 
A C B and A B D, as in the previous example. 

Or, when the triangle has an acute angle at A, 
Fig. 23, thus: Treat precisely as in Fig. 22, only 






38 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 

letting the perpendicular fall from D upon A, C } 
that is, invert the triangle. 

The cases wherein the sides are more than three 


Fig. 23. 



are treated by resolving all such areas into right- 
angled triangles, thus: 

In Fig. 24, the area, A C D B may be resolved 
into two triangles, A C B, and C D B, of which A, 


Fig. 24. 

C 



B is the base of the one and C B that of the other. 
In Fig. 25, the area, A C D B E K, may be re¬ 
solved into the four triangles, A C D; A D B; 
ABE; and A E K. The perpendiculars of Fig. 24 
are, E D and C F. Those of Fig. 25 are, C H; 




SURVEYING. 


39 


IB; F E, and K G and the length of bases may 
be multiplied into half that of the perpendiculars, 
as in the cases already given, and the feet be re¬ 
duced to acres, rods, etc., or miles. 

Fig. 25. 


C 



For the number of square feet in an acre, etc., see 
Appendix, No: 3, and treat it thus: Suppose the 
area of Fig. 25 be 80,000 sq. ft., then, according to 
Table No. 3, it will be 1 acre, 3 rods, 13 poles, 25 
yards, 7 feet, or 1.836 +acre. 

TO MEASURE AN INACCESSIBLE LINE. 

Suppose we desire to measure the distance across 
a river, as in Fig. 26. 

We want to find the distance A, B. Measure a 
distance of about 100 ft. B, D, at right angles to 
A, B, and raise a pole at C, about half-way from B to 
D. Proceed in measuring at right angle to B, D, in 





40 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


the direction D, E, letting E be that point at which 
the line C, E, if extended, would strike A. Now 
you have two right-angled triangles of the same 
angles, for, as every triangle has two right angles ac¬ 
cording to geometry, and each of these triangles has 
one right angle, and the opposite angles at C are 


Fig. 26. 



equal according to geometry, the remaining angles 
at A and E are equal, and the triangles are propor¬ 
tional, and the proportion is— 

CD: BE: : CB: A B, 

then, if C D= 40 ft., D E=A5 ft., and C B=60, we 
know that 45x60=2700, divided by (C D), 40 ft.= 
67J ft.; this is for A B , or the distance across the 
river. 

The only difficulty is in measuring your angles 





SURVEYING. 


41 


as true right angles, and this may be done by 
measuring the perpendicular, thus :— 

Extend the line A B , Fig. 26, to F, Fig. 27, and 
likewise the line D E, Fig. 26, to G ) as in Fig. 27. 
Now measure equal distances on the line B D, for 
the lines or offsets, B C and B H; also from D C, 
the offsets D I and D K; drive sticks in at G , H, 
I, and K. See that the distances represented by the 


Fig. 27. 



dotted lines are equal, and if so the lines ABF 
and D C are perpendicular to the line G K, and 
your work will be well done and very nearly ac¬ 
curate. 

It is, however, well for the prospector to use a 
prism compass which will read to one-quarter de¬ 
gree. Such a compass may be had at very low rate, 
not more than three inches diameter, of light 
weight and of sufficient accuracy. The author has 
used one for many years, and travelled with it 
many thousands of miles in Asia and Africa, and 
can testify to the fact that by customary use it may 








42 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

be handled to a great degree of accuracy for hori¬ 
zontal angles. The needle is attached to the under 
side of a cord with steel engraved degrees and frac¬ 
tions, and read by a magnifying prism. 

In almost every conceivable surveying project, es¬ 
pecially in running adits and sinking shafts to strike 
adits and galleries, only the best instruments should 
be used. Everything depends upon the most ac¬ 
curate measurements, and this department of en¬ 
gineering is not one that can be treated approxi¬ 
mately, because any error in measurement may 
result in very provoking and expensive mistakes. 

We have presented all that is necessary on surface 
measurements, except where it becomes necessary to 
make such accurate proceedings as may only be ex¬ 
ecuted by use of the finest instruments, and that 
with considerable practice. Otherwise accurate 
mathematical tables are of little importance, as their 
use is based upon the presence of most accurate data, 
and without this the best methods and diagrams are 
in vain. 

The subject of mining engineering does not come 
within the range of our work, and for all mere ex¬ 
ploring as a prospector such ground-work or digging 
for examination as is necessary will readily suggest 
itself to any intelligent workman. 


CHAPTER IV. 


ANALYSES OF ORES-WET METHOD. 

Preliminary examinations may be made at 
first with the pocket lens and a piece of steel or a 
heavy-bladed pocket-knife. The first, to see if any 
native metals or any sulphides, etc., are present; 
the second , to try the softness or silicious nature of 
the mineral; if much quartz (silex) is present it will 
strike fire. 

Pulverize a small part and use the blow-pipe to 
detect sulphur, arsenic, silenium, by the smell on 
charcoal or in the glass tube. Arsenic fumes have 
a garlic odor, silenium that of horse-radish. 

Use a test tube with a little nitric acid and heat 
over a spirit flame. Add a few drops of water and 
one drop of sulphocyanide of potash—an intense 
deep red appears, deeper according to amount of 
iron and solvency of the mineral in nitric acid. 

Try another portion in the same way, but drop 
one drop of hydrochloric acid. A dense curdy 
white precipitate indicates silver. 

Native gold or silver is determined by color 
and softness, as we have elsewhere stated {see Index). 

Treat another portion in the same way with nitric 
acid, drop in several drops of strong ammonia water. 
The blue color indicates copper. 

(43) 


44 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

Antimony and tin are detected by the blow-pipe. 
Place the former upon charcoal with carbonate of 
soda, and brilliant metallic globules are obtained, 
the metal fumes and volatilizes, and covers the 
charcoal with white incrustations, and needle-shaped 
crystals appear. Tin appears when the ore is mixed 
with carbonate of soda and cyanide of potassium on 
charcoal, and the inner flame turned on—-ductile 
grains of metallic tin and no incrustations appear. 

Manganese gives amethystine beads of borax in the 
outer flame, 0 F, disappears with the inner, IF, re¬ 
appears with the 0 F. 

Alumina, magnesia, lime, give their characteristic 
colors, or in the last case, incandescent light before 
the blow-pipe on charcoal. Alumina heated on 
charcoal, and then touched by a half drop of proto¬ 
nitrate of cobalt, then heated strongly in the 0 
flame, gives a blue color. Magnesia so treated gives 
a faint red or pink, seen just as it cools. 

Znnc heated on charcoal with carbonate of soda in 
the reducing flame becomes metallic, and when 
oxidized in 0 flame gives a white oxide which is 
yellow when hot, white when cooled, and with pro¬ 
tonitrate of cobalt when heated in the 0 flame, a 
beautiful characteristic green color. 

Cobalt and nickel give the colors we have noticed 
in another place under their respective names {see 
Index). 

Uranium heated with microcosmic salt (phosphate 
of soda and ammonia), on platinum wire in the 0 
flame dissolves, producing a clear yellow glass, 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


45 


which, on cooling, becomes yellowish-green. Blit 
the analyst should remember that copper produces 
a green bead ,but only in the outer or oxidizing 
flame, and chromium the same, but in both outer 
and inner flames. 

The copper green becomes blue on cooling, the 
chromium green remains green on cooling. This 
will always prove the metal. 

Titanium in the presence of peroxide of iron, as in 
some titanic ores of iron and sand, gives, with 
microcosmic salt in a strong reducing blow-pipe 
flame, a yellow glass, on cooling red. 

Mercury may be detected in almost any of its ores 
by the process described (see Index), by heating in a 
glass tube and noting, under the lens, the sublima¬ 
tion of mercury in very minute shining particles. 

Minerals which are carbonates may be detected by 
their effervescence when touched by a drop of 
hydrochloric acid, as in limestone and spathic iron 
ore. But the analyst must remember that some 
cyanides effervesce where neither lime nor carbonic 
acid is present, and chloride of lime where there is 
no carbonic acid. With these latter other tests must 
be used, but the smell will show that carbonic acid 
does not exist, the latter having no smell. 

Some sandstones have a small amount of lime 
carbonate and must be tried under the lens, as the 
bubbles are minute. But, while in these examina¬ 
tions great help is received, and many determina¬ 
tions made, especially in simple minerals and ores, 
there are compound ores so mixed in elements that 


46 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

the above tests fail to give satisfaction, because the 
colors are mixed and the action confused. Some of 
the elements must be moved out of the association 
and a separation made. This analysis is called 
qualitative , and we shall take a case of very full 
analysis of a compound ore. 

Qualitative analysis of ores where many ele¬ 
ments are present : 

There are many times when it becomes not only 
a matter of curiosity but of importance for the pros¬ 
pector to know the entire composition of the ore he 
has before him. 

With a little practice the “ wet method,” as it is 
called, may be used by the prospector with all the 
accuracy required under the circumstances. 

The “ dry method ” of analysis is that in which 
no liquids are used, but only fluxes and heat. 
Although for one or two elements it is simpler than 
the wet method, it may so happen that sufficient 
heat cannot be had. We shall, therefore, give some 
directions whereby the wet method may prove of 
greater service. 

1. Pulverize the ore as finely as possible and 
sieve it, passing the entire quantity taken as an 
assay. Should any part be left remaining in the 
sieve it may be a very important part. Pass the 
whole through. 

2. Take a test tube and drop a little of the sifted 
ore into it, pour a little nitric acid upon it, add 
about one-eighth part water, warm it gently over a 
spirit flame to see if it will dissolve ; if not, then add 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


47 


four times as much in bulk of muriatic acid (hydro¬ 
chloric acid). If this will not dissolve then proceed 
as follows:— 

3. Put the assay, after fine pulverization, into a 
platinum crucible. Place it in a suitably arranged 
platinum v r ire triangle so that it will hang over an 
alcoholic blast lamp. When all is ready add a 
mixture of equal parts of sodium carbonate and of 
potassium carbonate, amounting in all to about four 
times the bulk of the assay, stir gently with a glass 
rod or a stiff platinum wire, and then light the 
lamp. Watch the assay, and when it begins to 
swell up withdraw the lamp, but return it when the 
swelling subsides, so that the alkalies do not throw 
your assay out of the crucible, which should be only 
one-half full at the beginning. With care the con¬ 
tents will soon subside, and under increased heat be¬ 
come a quiet liquid mass. Now, extinguish the 
flame, cool the crucible, remove crucible contents to 
a beaker glass or place the crucible with its con¬ 
tents within the beaker, and pour a little water 
upon it, add some nitric acid, or a little hydrochloric 
acid, but not the two acids together, unless you have 
only the assay and not the platinum crucible in the 
beaker—nitro-muriatic acid dissolves platinum. 
Warm and stir till the assay is entirely dissolved, 
except, perhaps, some white grains of silex. 

4. If the preceding work has been properly per¬ 
formed, the assay is now dissolved and you are 
ready for w r ork. Filter the contents of the beaker 
to separate any undissolved remainder, if any such 


48 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

is seen in the glass, and wash the filter-paper by 
passing an ounce or two of water through it, and 
now make preparations for the next step. It is not 
necessary, where extreme accuracy is not required, 
to wash the filter-paper perfectly free from the acids. 
But if it be necessary, then furnish yourself with a 
small strip of platinum ribbon, clean its surface to a 
polish. If a drop of the filtrate evaporated from 
this surface shows not the least trace of sediment or 
outline even under a lens, the filter-paper is 
sufficiently washed. When the filter-paper is to be 
burned and weighed, it must be perfectly freed from 
the acids by continuous washing. 

5. Pour ten or fifteen drops of the filtrate into a 
test tube. Drop in three or four drops of hydro¬ 
chloric acid. If a precipitate forms it may be of 
silver, if so, it will grow dark violet on exposure to 
daylight, or more rapidly and darker in sunlight. 
Or to test more quickly, add strong ammonia, 30 to 
40 drops, it dissolves after a short time ; or if it does 
not dissolve, then it is lead ; filter and test on 
charcoal with the blow-pipe ; if it gives, with inner 
flame, a bead and yellow incrustation around, it is 
lead. Or, if none of the above results are seen, and 
yet there is a precipitate, then it is mercury. To 
prove this, add a solution of carbonate of potash and 
digest, it turns black ; filter and place it in a glass 
tube, heat gently with blow-pipe; it volatilizes and 
condenses on the sides, examine with strong lens, 
it is mercury. 

t>.. But suppose hydrochloric acid produces no 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


49 


precipitate though in excess and heated? Then 
there is neither lead, silver, nor mercury in the 
assay, and it is not necessary to treat the ore for 
either, but proceed to the next step. It will be seen 
why we directed nitric acid to be poured on the 
assay, as in No. 2. Hydrochloric acid would have 
prevented these tests as given, but you are now pre¬ 
pared for the next metals, with three less to look for, 
or with a certainty as to the presence of one or 
more of the three. 

7. The whole assay, or its solution, may now be 
used. If any precipitate occurred in the test tube 
treat the whole assay solution with hydrochloric 
acid, heat to boiling, and separate the precipitated 
metal or metals in the whole, as in the test tube, by 
filtration. Wash, set the paper (filter) aside under 
cover of paper to dry, and pass hydrogen sulphide 
slowly through the filtrate until the filtrate smells 
plainly of the gas. 

8. As this gas is frequently used, make a simple 
and cheap apparatus so that you may have a supply 
at any time, thus : cut off the bottom of a long 
bottle* of small diameter, D, say about two inches, 
and fit it into a fruit jar, E, as in Fig. 28. 

The top A should be fitted loosely so that it may 

* Cut a nick, with a large file, in the spot where you wish 
to start a crack near the bottom, then heat a rod, or poker, 
or spike-nail, nearly red-hot, place it on the nick, a crack 
starts ; draw your hot iron and the crack will follow: when 
nearly cracked around pull the bottom off. A glass chimney 
may be used, but it is rather too small to contain sufficient 
iron sulphide. 

4 


50 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

be removed and let air pass through. The cork at B 
must be air-tight. Fit a small tube into the cork 
after bending it in a spirit-lamp flame—a quarter- 
inch tube with an eighth-inch aperture is suffic¬ 
iently large and is easily bent. Take an inch rod 
of iron, let the blacksmith heat it white-hot, and 
press it into a small roll of brimstone, this will give 
you iron sulphide—you need it in pieces as large as 
bullets: it melts readily against the brimstone. 
Place some cotton in the neck of the bottle, and, 

Fig. 28. 



having fitted a plug of wood with holes in it for the 
bottom of the bottle, invert the bottle and fill it 
half full of iron sulphide lumps, fasten the wooden 
plug in the bottom, not very tightly, but tightly in 
three or four places, so that water can pass easily, 
and yet the plug be well fixed in. Put the bottle 
in its place, resting in the jar at A, and somewhat 
loosely fastened. But this must be after you have 
half filled the jar with a mixture of equal parts 
common hydrochloric acid and rain-water (or, next 




















ANALYSES OF ORES. 


51 


best, well-water). Hydrogen sulphide will form 
immediately, and if you have made all connections 
perfectly, as in the figure, the gas will pass from 
this apparatus into the solution of ore in the beaker 
and precipitation will soon take place. The ad¬ 
vantage of this apparatus is that if you tie two little 
blocks of wood against the sides of the India-rubber 
tubes, C C, so as to press the sides together and stop 
the gas from flowing, the gas forming pushes the 
water out of the interior glass D, and the gas stops 
forming, but is ready at any moment to begin as 
soon as the string around the little blocks is 
removed. 

9. After introducing the hydrogen sulphide until 
the filtrate smells of the gas, filter and wash the 
precipitate, mark the paper letter A, and put this 
precipitate aside for the present. This is the precip¬ 
itate from the hydrogen sulphide. 

10. The filtrate. If the strip of platinum 
shows that it contains some material after evapora¬ 
tion of some drops, proceed by adding a solution of 
ammonium chloride (sal ammoniac), and then aqua 
ammonia to the filtrate, using about one-fifteenth 
or one-twentieth of the bulk. Then add ammo¬ 
nium sulphide so long as any precipitate is appar¬ 
ent. Let it stand awhile. This precipitate may 
contain alumina, chromium oxide, zinc, nickel, 
manganese, cobalt and iron as sulphides. It may 
likewise contain phosphates, borates, oxalates, and 
hydrofluates of the alkaline earths (barium, stron¬ 
tium and lime). The latter we may not care for, 


52 


PROSPECTOR S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


11. Filter and wash this precipitate. Add a little 
water to the hydrochloric acid, now to be used in 
treating this precipitate. Add this diluted hydro¬ 
chloric acid in sufficient quantity to dissolve the 
precipitate, and put it aside to digest. If any part 
refuses to dissolve, it is because there may be 
present cobalt, or nickel, or both ; add nitric acid 
and boil, for these metals dissolve in hot nitro-hy- 
drochloric acid. Filter. Next add to the whole 
solution ammonium chloride, and excess of aqua 
ammonia. The consequent precipitate may contain 
alumina, chromium oxide, sesquioxide of iron, 
and the alkaline earths, as phosphates, etc. Dis¬ 
solve the precipitate by digesting in caustic potash 
solution till all is dissolved that will dissolve. Filter. 
The solution may contain alumina and chromium 
oxide; boil for some time, and if a precipitate is 
formed, it is chromium oxide ; confirm by the 
blow-pipe, it gives a green bead with borax, height¬ 
ened by fusion with metallic tin or charcoal, which 
is the blow-pipe test for chromium. 

12. Now super-saturate the solution with hydro¬ 
chloric acid and boil with excess of ammonia ;* if a 
precipitate is formed it is alumina. Confirm with 
blow-pipe, as we have shown. What was dissolved 
by digestion with potassium hydroxide (caustic 
potash solution) has now been treated. The pre¬ 
cipitate may contain iron and more chromium oxide, 
and the phosphates, etc., of the alkaline earths. 

* By excess we mean so much that after stirring with a 
glass strip or rod, the liquid smells strongly of ammonia. 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


53 


13. We will now proceed with a portion of this 
precipitate by first dissolving it in as small a quan¬ 
tity of hydrochloric acid as is possible, filter, and 
add to the solution (made as nearly neutral as pos¬ 
sible) two or three drops of ferro-cyanide of potash 
(yellow prussiate of potash in solution), a blue pre¬ 
cipitate is formed, proving the presence of iron 
sesquioxide. Wash another portion and fuse it in a 
small crucible with potassium nitrate (pure salt¬ 
petre) and sodium carbonate about equal parts. 
When cold digest with w T ater; a yellow solution 
results, which produces a yellow precipitate with 
acetate of lead, showing the presence of oxide of 
chromium. This double finding of chromium oxide 
(for it was found before) is due to the relative quan¬ 
tity of iron present as related to chromium oxide 
present, which will not be entirely precipitated at 
one time in the presence of iron under these cir¬ 
cumstances. 

14. We now go back to the solution filtered off 
from the precipitate treated of in paragraph 11. 
This solution may contain zinc, manganese, nickel 
and cobalt. Digest with ammonium sulphide, wash 
the consequent precipitate and dissolve it in nitro- 
hydrochloric acid (aqua regia). It may be dissolved 
upon the filter by dropping the mixed acids and 
filtering through into a clean beaker, just as in 
paragraph 11 it could have been done. This is 
convenient when the precipitate adheres too tightly 
to the filter to allow of scraping it off entirely. 
Digest this clear solution with potassium hydroxide 


54 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

(or caustic potassa) precisely as in paragraph 11. 
This potassa may be put into the beaker in small 
pieces of the stick, in which form potassium 
hydroxide generally is sold. 

(a) The solution may contain zinc oxide. 

( b ) The precipitate may contain manganese, co¬ 
balt and nickel, as oxides. Pass hydrogen sulphide 
through the solution ( a ) until the precipitate (white 
zinc) has ceased to fall. Wash and agitate the 
precipitate (b) with a solution of carbonate of am¬ 
monia. The precipitate which now falls is the car¬ 
bonate of manganese —confirm this by the blow-pipe. 
The solution from this last treatment may contain 
cobalt and nickel oxides, evaporate it to dryness, re¬ 
dissolve in a few drops of hydrochloric acid, and 
again evaporate to a moist mass and divide the 
mass into two parts. Heat one portion with borax 
in the blow-pipe flame, a blue bead proves cobalt. 
Dissolve the other portion in water and add solu¬ 
tion of cyanide of potassium slowly, a precipitate is 
formed which on continued adding of the potassium 
cyanide begins to re-dissolve. On adding hydro¬ 
chloric acid it is again precipitated. It is nickel. 
Confirm with the blow-pipe. 

15. In paragraph 9, paper A was put aside. This 
paper contained the precipitate holding the copper 
of the ore if any was present. Digest this with 
ammonium sulphide (or potassium sulphide). A 
solution and a precipitate are formed. The precipi¬ 
tate may contain lead, mercury, bismuth, cadmium, 
besides copper, as sulphides. The solution may con- 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


55 


tain gold, platinum, antimony, arsenic, and tin as 
sulphides, 

16. Treat the precipitate first, by boiling it with 
nitric acid. A black or brownish residue remains 
undissolved. Take a hard glass tube, and having 
washed and dried the black residue, introduce some 
of it into the tube and heat it. It may act in three 
ways : (a) it sublimes without change ; mercury oxide 
was present—test with blow-pipe ; ( b) it sublimes 
leaving a white powder which when moistened with 
ammonium sulphide turns black, proving it to be lead 
sulphate; (c) it sublimes, but as a mixture of mercury 
sulphide with minute globules of metallic mercury, 
showing that through some haste or lack of care, 
mercury as sub-oxide of mercury still remains wdien 
it should have been entirely precipitated as chloride 
of mercury at the first (paragraph 5). 

17. We now proceed with the filtrate (obtained as 
stated in paragraph 16), from the black or brownish 
residue. Treat this with solution of carbonate of 
potash and wash the consequent precipitate, and then 
digest this precipitate in cyanide of potash in excess, 
while it is moist. This may be done on the filter 
after changing the beaker, since this filtrate or solu¬ 
tion must be kept. The insoluble part may contain 
lead and bismuth as carbonates—the solution may 
contain copper and cadmium as double salts with 
cyanide of potassium. 

18. Proceed with the insoluble part by boiling it 
with dilute hydrochloric acid. To one part of the 
resultant solution add sulphuric acid, the precipitate 


56 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

indicates lead ; to the other part, after concentration 
by evaporation, add a large quantity of water—a 
milkiness is produced indicating bismuth. 

19. Into the solution (paragraph 17), after digest¬ 
ing with potassium cyanide, pass hydrogen sulphide 
—the precipitate, if formed, indicates cadmium —test 
it with the blowpipe. To the solution add hydro¬ 
chloric acid —copper sulphide will be precipitated; 
add a few drops nitric acid which will dissolve the 
copper sulphide, and then by adding ammonia in 
slight excess the solution has a blue color indicating 
copper. 

20. We are now to treat the solution mentioned in 
paragraph 15. The insoluble part, paragraph 16, 
having been separated off as there stated, add to the 
solution acetic acid, and boil. If a precipitate be 
produced, collect a small portion, wash and heat it 
over a spirit-lamp upon a strip of platinum foil. If 
it burns with a bluish flame and leaves no residue 
whatever, it is sulphur and nothing more may be 
done—this part of the assay is exhausted. But if it 
leaves some residue, then several important elements 
may be present. Proceed, and to one part add a 
solution of chloride of tin (protochloride with a 
drop of nitric acid added), a purple color is pro¬ 
duced. To another part add a solution of proto¬ 
sulphate of iron—a brown precipitate is produced 
indicating gold in both cases. 

To another part add ammonium chloride (solu¬ 
tion), a yellow crystalline precipitate falls which 
marks platinum. Arsenic may be tested by the 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


57 


blow-pipe in the ore, but if the presence of sulphur, 
in larger quantity, prevents detecting a small 
quantity of arsenic, it may be detected thus : Take a 
part of the black or brownish precipitate resulting 
from the addition of acetic acid, and mix it with 
three times its bulk of nitrate of potash (saltpetre) 
and carbonate of soda. Project this mixture, a little 
at a time, into a Berlin crucible, in which a mixture 
of the same substances has been placed and is in 
fusion over a lamp. At conclusion, digest the fused 
mass with pure water ; filter ; add excess of nitric 
acid and heat; now add nitrate of silver; filter 
when cold, and add very dilute ammonia ; a brown 
precipitation or coloring marks arsenic. 

Dissolve another portion of the dark precipitate 
or residue from acetic acid in hydrochloric acid. 
Place in the solution a strip of metallic zinc—a 
pulverulent deposit takes place on the zinc, indi¬ 
cating antimony. If more proof is wanted remove 
the powder to a beaker and digest in nitric acid, 
when a white precipitate is formed. Digest it with 
a strong solution of tartaric acid, only a part may 
be dissolved, but filter ; into the clear solution pass 
hydrogen sulphide and an orange-colored precipi¬ 
tate is formed, proving antimony. 

In the last paragraph it was found that a part of 
the precipitate was not dissolved in the tartaric 
acid; dry it; place it on charcoal with a little 
cyanide of potassium and carbonate of soda, and 
turn the inner flame of the blow-pipe upon it; it is 
reduced to metallic tin. 


58 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

In the above analysis provision has been made 
for the detection of sixteen elements. Of course, if 
no precipitates or signs appear at any one stage of 
the analysis, proceed immediately to the next, for it 
is not probable that any mineral will ever contain 
even one-half the elements mentioned in the assay, 
but the full number is given so as to reach any 
possible case. 


DRY ASSAY OF ORES. 

We have given the wet assay method, and we 
now give as much of the dry assay as may generally 
be called for. 

What will be first needed in the dry assay are 
crucibles, scorifiers and cupels. Crucibles for 
general purposes are made of coarse material, and 
are called Hessian. They are sold in nests of five 
or more. The only sizes of much value are those 
holding about 6 to 8 ounces. Scorifiers are flat, 
but thick, clay saucers intended to prepare the 
rough ore for the finer treatment by use of the 
cupel and in the assay furnace. The cupel is a 
little saucer of bone-ash, intended to be used on the 
floor or bottom of a heated muffle in the assay 
furnace. The muffle is a clay oven of small 
dimensions, intended to protect the scorifier and 
cupel from the coals of the furnace. They can be 
obtained at any chemical warehouse. 

An assay furnace may be made of sheet-iron 
some 15 inches in diameter,with a grate near the 
bottom, and lined with either ordinary or fire brick. 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


59 


We give in the accompanying figure the general form 
of one we have used for years with perfect success. 

A plain sheet-iron cylinder 
(Fig. 29) 18 inches high and 15 
inches in diameter, with draft 
hole at A, muffle hole at B, and 
pipe-hole at C, and lined, as we 
have said, with brick, will an¬ 
swer all purposes of the best 
assays. The hole at C must 
have a collar and pipe either 
for a chimney, or it must enter 
a chimney. B must be pro¬ 
vided with a flanged door, as 
also the draft hole A. The top may have, loosely 
laid on, only a square sheet of heavy sheet-iron, 
and the whole placed upon a flat stone or some 
bricks. Several heavy bars of iron nicked into the 
bricks will answer where there is no iron foundry 
at hand to cast a grating, D. Charcoal or coke 
may be used, or, where the draft is strong, a hard 
coal. 

The crucible should be lined with charcoal finely 
pulverized, and made pasty by mixing with molasses 
or any syrup. This process is called “ brasquing.” 
Heat the crucible before using, to dry out the syrup. 

If the object is to obtain the amount of iron in 
an ore, pulverize the ore to about forty to the inch, 
weigh it, mix it with charcoal and cast the mixture 
from a piece of paper into the bottom of the crucible, 
cover it with charcoal an inch or two deep, drop in 


Fig. 29. 


- 

© 


B 

D 



CS 












60 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

two or three pieces of brick, and place the crucible 
in the hottest part of the fire, cover all with coal, 
and gradually increase the heat and keep it nearly 
at white heat for half an hour, draw it out, jar the 
crucible down on a stone to settle the melted 
button. When cool take out the contents, and the 
metallic iron will be found with its slag attached. 
Clean the button, weigh it, and the weight of the 
ore used is to the weight of the button as 100 is to 
the per cent, of iron in that ore; that is, multiply 
the weight of the button by 100 and divide by the 
weight of the ore used. 

Scales, weighing, etc. There is no advantage 
gained in using any other method of weighing than 
that by a pair of brass scales. A small pair of scales, 
sufficiently delicate, may be bought at any chemical 
warehouse, made to pack and carry with ease and 
security. A pair weighing to T ^oth of a grain is 
quite sufficient for average work. When in a fixed 
laboratory at home the scales weighing to tAf grain, 
or half a .milligram, will save chemicals, time and 
work, but unless the analyst has an absolutely true 
average of the ton of ore most carefully chosen, the 
smaller the amount of ore used the more likely is 
the assay to prove deceptive when proportioned to 
the ton. 

Pulverization for the dry method should never 
be more than 50 or 60 to the inch. Smaller par¬ 
ticles are apt to be lost or separated in the crucible. 
Obtain a piece of silk bolting cloth from a flour 
miller or from the source from which he gets his 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


61 


cloth, and select two or three grades, one for “wet 
analysis,” which may be as fine as 80 to the inch. 
Have a rim made by the tinner to tie on the sieving 
cloth, or use a cracked beaker glass, cutting it off by 
the method we have already given. (See previous 
note , page 51.) 

Gold and Silver Ores. These ores require pre¬ 
paration in the scorifer. Powder the ore, of which 
take about 50 grains; of lead shavings take from 
500 to 1000 grains, according to the probable 
amount of silver, much if much silver is present, 
and of borax take about 50 grains. Mix the ore 
with half the lead and place it in the scorifier, 
spread the other half over the contents, and finally 
spread the borax over all. Put the scorifer in the 
muffle, close the door, and heat up to fusion—then 
the door must be partly opened, heat increased, 
until the oxidized lead (litharge) covers the scorfiier 
—take it out and pour the contents into an iron 
cavity or mould, separate the button, and hammer 
it up into the shape of a cube. It is now ready for 
cupellation, as it contains all the gold and silver. 

Cupellation. This process simply separates the 
lead from the gold and silver. This it does both 
by absorbing and by oxidizing. Cupels may be 
made, but they may be bought so cheaply that it is 
seldom worth the trouble to make them. 

Push a cupel into the heated muffle, place the 
cube of lead in the cupel with little tongs, and heat 
up till the lead melts, watch the lead gradually 
wasting away until reduced to the size of the silver 


62 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

it contains, when the surface will become instan¬ 
taneously bright and nothing remains but the silver 
containing the gold. Withdraw the cupel and cool 
and weigh the ball. The gold and silver must be 
separated by the wet process, thus : Dissolve the ball 
in strong nitric acid with heat till the acid boils; a 
dark powder precipitates; filter off the dark powder, 
it is the gold, and precipitate the silver by solution 
of common table salt or by hydrochloric acid ; after 
all is precipitated drop into the white precipitate 
some pieces of zinc, add more hydrochloric acid— 
hydrogen gas is generated, which reduces the white 
silver chloride to powdered metallic silver. The 
gold and the silver may now be melted in separate 
crucibles, weighed and compared with the amount of 
ore used. 

In these trials the lead should first be cupelled 
for its silver, and that subtracted from the silver 
found, as almost all leads contain some silver. 

If it should be more convenient to melt the ore 
in a crucible rather than a scorifier, use the follow¬ 
ing flux : If the ore is composed chiefly of rock, pul¬ 
verize, take 100 to 500 grains of ore, red lead 500 
grains, charcoal powder 20 to 25 grains, carbonate 
of soda and borax together 500 grains—the more 
rock the more carbonate of soda, the more metallic 
bases the more borax. Place a little borax over all 
and melt till all is liquid, requiring about 20 min¬ 
utes ; withdraw, extract the button when cool, ham¬ 
mer up to a cube and cupel. Separate the gold and 
silver as before, but remember that the amount of 


ANALYSES OF ORES. 


63 


silver must be three times that of the gold, and if 
there is reason to believe that there is not this 
amount, some silver must be melted with the button, 
since the separation will not otherwise be complete. 

Lead Ore, Galena. The charge for the crucible 
is carbonate of soda, two or three times the weight 
of the ore, three or four tenpenny nails on top to 
absorb the sulphur, and a covering of salt or borax 
heated to redness about 20 minutes. Pour the con¬ 
tents into a crucible and separate the button. 

Copper Ore. The wet assay is better than the 
dry, especially that by the burette, which we shall 
give. 

Tin Ore. If it is mixed with iron or copper 
pyrites it should be powdered and roasted, and then 
mixed with one-quarter of its weight of charcoal 
and subjected to great heat in a crucible for about 
20 minutes. Jar it as in an iron assay, let it cool, 
and pick out the button or buttons, or pour it out 
while melted. 

It may be reduced otherwise by melting the pow¬ 
dered ore with cyanide of potassium, 100 grains of 
ore to 600 grains of cyanide. Cool, extract button. 

This ore is very hard and may be powdered to 60 
to the inch. 

Mercury. These ores are easily reduced by 
simply heating and condensing the vapors in a cold 
bath as in using a retort and cool receiver. 

Antimony. Place about 2000 grains of ore pow¬ 
dered in a crucible having a hole chipped out in 
the bottom, and the hole stopped loosely with a 


64 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


piece of charcoal. Put this crucible into another 
half-way down. Then lute on the lid and put clay 
around the juncture of the two and put live coals 
around the upper crucible by placing some broken 
bricks around the lower on the grate, to keep the 
coals away from the upper. The antimony will 
melt and leave its gangue rock in the upper crucible 
while the lower will receive the melted metal. 

Bismuth, zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt, and 
other metals should be reduced or analyzed by the 
“ wet process ” which we have already given. 
(In this chapter, IV.) 


CHAPTER V. 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 

We shall now proceed to a more definite and prac¬ 
tical treatment of these two subjects, technical min¬ 
eralogy and economic geology, so far, only, as 
they may be of service in the work before us. 

The first suggestion we have to make is that the 
best preparation for the general study of mineralogy 
is to gather a collection of the chief itiineral sub¬ 
stances with which the student is to come in contact. 
In many cases very small specimens are sufficient. 
As we proceed in our treatment of each substance it 
will occur to the reader what and how much he needs 
to obtain. But it should be emphasized that no 
amount of study on the part of the student, nor of 
description on the part of the instructor, can ever 
take the place of the actual specimen.* 

Gold. Gold occurs in dust, grains, nuggets in 
river sand; or in wiry branching and irregular 
forms in quartz. Specific gravity, 16 to 19.5, ac¬ 
cording to the amount of alloy ; hardness 2.5 to 3.0. 
It crystallizes in the isometric system, but crystals 
are seldom found. The minerals commonly ac¬ 
companying gold are: iron pyrites, arsenical iron, 


5 


For list of specimens, see end of book. 
(65) 


66 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

oxides of iron and manganese, galena, and copper 
pyrites in quartz veins; and magnetic iron, titanic 
iron, chromic iron, tin ore, quartz, zircon, topaz, 
corundum, diamond, in alluvial deposits. 

Native gold is very rarely pure. Its chief impur¬ 
ity is silver, and in California the range is from 870 
to 890 parts pure gold in 1000. But in some coun¬ 
tries the admixture of silver has been found as great 
as 25 per cent. The other impurities are a small 
per cent, of iron or copper, or both. The color, 
therefore, may be slightly modified in accordance 
with the admixture and its amount. But in all 
these variations there is always a gold color. 

The student should compare the colors of pyrite 
and chalcopyrite, to which we have already referred, 
with the gold color. 

How distinguished. Gold grains will always 
flatten when struck with a hammer or between two 
stones, whereas other minerals similar in color will 
break into fragments. 

Under the blow-pipe, on a piece of charcoal, gold 
may melt, but on cooling it always retains its color; 
any other mineral will lose color, become blackened, 
or will be attracted to the end of your penknife- 
blade, if that blade has been previously magnetized, 
and the unknown substance contains iron. 

Gold imparts no color to boiling nitric acid. It 
will not dissolve in nitric or hydrochloric acid 
separately, hut it does dissolve in the two when 
combined, and then the acid is known as nitro- 
muriatic acid or aqua regia. Proportions: one 
nitric to four muriatic. 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


67 


But it is not always a trustworthy sign that par¬ 
ticles are gold because they will not dissolve in 
nitric acid. Some seemingly gold-colored particles 
will not dissolve in nitric acid, and yet contain not 
a trace of gold. 

Other forms and conditions. Beside in the 
condition of simple native gold, this metal is found 
in intimate mixture with pyrite (iron sulphide). It 
does not seem to be a compound, but as we have 
said, a mixture or minute association. This seems 
evident from the fact that when the sulphur is re¬ 
moved from the pyrite and the iron rusts down, the 
gold particles appear with their own color 
and characteristics in cavities of various rocks, 
which, when crushed or water-worn, release the par¬ 
ticles or pieces to be washed down and mingled 
with sands and gravels of lower levels, or perhaps 
the beds and channels of rivers. This is “ placer 
gold.” Where gold has not yet been thus released 
it is found in association with iron, and especially 
with quartz in veins. In some instances the gold 
in quartz is disseminated in particles so exceedingly 
fine as to require the lens to reveal it. 

Nevertheless quartz is not the only mineral 
which contains gold, although it is the world’s great 
paying source of gold. Some of the other minerals 
contain it. It is found in yellowish-white, four-sided 
prisms, and in small white grains as large as a pea, 
and easily crumbles. In this condition the gold is 
amalgamated with quicksilver in the proportion of 
38 gold to 57 £ quicksilver, and is known as “gold 


68 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

amalgam.” It is very easily tested by heating 
upon a piece of charcoal by a blow-pipe, when the 
quicksilver volatilizes and the gold remains. 

Gold in paying quantities is found in numerous 
combinations, and must be discovered and extracted 
either chemically, by the “ wet method,” or by 
assaying in the crucible by means of the cupel and 
furnace, when it cannot be separated on the spot by 
the blow-pipe. These methods are taught in any 
book upon the assay of gold. 

WHERE IS GOLD FOUND? 

In studying the geologic aspect of this subject 
and making the practical application of our know¬ 
ledge to the search, we may state that the original 
position of gold must have been in great depths. 
From these depths it has been brought up by the 
upheaval of the granitic rocks, and perhaps, along 
with basaltic and other intrusions shot up from 
immense depths. In the course of ages the attrition 
and breaking down of these higher or uplifted levels, 
and the long-continued floods, rains, and the waves 
of ancient oceans and other disintegrating forces 
which produced the sedimentary rocks, at the same 
time liberated the gold which was incapable of de¬ 
composition. The gold thus found new and varied 
resting places in the sedimentary rocks of various 
ages and in all the conditions which the surface 
might assume. 

The quartz rocks are neither igneous nor sedimen¬ 
tary, but are supposed to have been in liquid form 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


69 


as solutions of silex, which, during long periods of 
time, gradually deposited the silex and whatever 
they contained, the water disappearing by evapora¬ 
tion or absorption. 

Frequently, cellular quartz has been found with 
gold within the cells, the material which surrounded 
the gold having become decomposed, and, thus re¬ 
leasing the undecomposed gold, the latter is found 
in the cells of the quartz. 

Gold, therefore is to be expected and looked for 
in granitic regions (Fig. 30), and in those rocks and 
from those gravels and sands which owe their origin 
to such regions. It requires much judgment, gen¬ 
eral exploration, and knowledge of the region before 
tiie prospector can, with probability, expect to meet 
with gold, or before he should begin the search. 
But with a full knowledge of the geologic condition 
of the country, and acting in accordance with the 
above facts, the prospector will soon come upon 
traces of gold, if any exist. 

Besides the general instruction given above, con¬ 
siderable study should be given to the peculiar and 
seemingly irregular deposits of gold where it does not 
appear to have been washed down from any higher 
levels. For instance, in California and some other 
districts free gold has been found in drifts and sand 
and in the beds of streams which have not only been 
filled up, but have been buried under regions of 
sandstone or other rocks, but the whole country ap¬ 
parently has been raised, or the surrounding region 
has sunk so as not to show any very considerable 


70 prospector’s field-book and GUIDE. 


elevation beyond where the gold deposits have been 
formed. But, even in this case, the general rule 
has been shown to be correct, for these deposits have 
been proved to be in the beds or channels of ancient 
rivers, which had either been dried up and over¬ 
flowed by vast eruptions of lava or basalt, and again 
by floods bringing new soil and creating sedi- 

Fig. 30. 



Section showing the two conditions under which gold is usually found in rock 

and drift. 

The Structure of the Ural Mountains.— a. Granitic and gneiss rocks 
penetrated with greenstones and porphyrytic rocks containing gold finely dis¬ 
seminated. b. Micaceous, talcose, and argillaceous slaty rocks, supposed to 
be Laurentian and Cambrian, c. Silurian and Devonian strata, d. Carbon¬ 
iferous, limestone and grits, e. Coal measures, f. Permian and newer rocks. 
G, G, G, G. Drift, filling hollows in rocks with gold, especially at the base of 
the drift. 


mentary rock, or the country has been raised, or 
subsidence of a great extent of land has taken place. 
In many cases, however, no subsidence has occurred, 
but only overflow and filling up through ages, and 
the actual sources still remain elevated. 

Such events as we have just described do not 
transpire without leaving, in some parts, traces or 
features or material, which, to the practised eye of 
a skillful prospector, are evidences of some such 







special mineralogy—gold. 


71 


movements and changes, and he may proceed to 
make a successful opening only after he has care¬ 
fully examined a large tract of country, for it is 
from extended survey that he may the more wisely 
judge of the relation of superficial parts to the 
greater depths of even small areas. 

Those rocks which lie more immediately over the 
granite, and which, although they owe their origin 
to a sedimentary condition, have been subjected to 
heat and heated waters, as is supposed, we have 
called “metamorphic rocks.” But they have been, 
probably, first formed from the disintegration of the 
most ancient rocks and have brought with them 
fragments of gold. These metamorphic rocks have 
been changed from ordinary sedimentary rock by 
the action of heat and by pressure, and the in¬ 
fluence of such treatment may be suspected by their 
appearance as crystalline in their composition; that 
is, the fine grains which compose them, as well as 
the larger grains, are angular, whereas the materials 
of purely sedimentary rocks are fine without 
angular shape. The larger part of granite is sup¬ 
posed to have been metamorphic or changed, as the 
word means, or “ altered ” merely by the action of 
heat into a crystalline form or mass. 

The igneous rocks are those whose forms are due 
to having been melted and driven to the surface 
through fissures in the overlying rocks. They are 
variously composed of feldspar, hornblende, little 
quartz, with comparatively small proportions of 
other substances, and are called by various names 


72 


prospector’s field-book and guide. 


according to the composition. The metamorphic 
granite contains quartz, feldspar, and mica, the 
igneous granite contains little or no quartz. Syenite- 
granite contains hornblende in place of mica. 
Sometimes the mica is very black, as hornblende is, 
and in that case may be distinguished from the 
latter by its more easy cleavage, as we have shown, 
under a sharp penknife; this black mica is the kind 
we have described as biotite (p. 14). There is a 
syenite which contains no quartz, called hyposvenite. 
These rocks are not the original home of gold, but 
at present it is very largely in these metamorphic 
rocks that the most paying gold is to be found, 
more especially in the quartz veins which have 
intersected these rocks. One, therefore, of the most 
important studies of the prospector is to acquaint 
himself familiar^ with the appearance, the locations, 
and the departures of these metamorphic rocks. In 
many places where the alluvial gold, derived from 
the gold-bearing gravels, has almost ceased to be 
worth working, there still remain sourcees undis¬ 
covered, and these sources may probably be traced 
back even yet to some out-crop or to some ancient 
elevation now having subsided. 

The above remarks are applicable to explorations 
for other metallic ores than gold. They apply to 
silver, and especially to tin ores, and with some 
modifications to copper ores and to quicksilver, as 
we shall show. 

Gold in combination. We have been speaking 
of gold as native and alone. But it must not be 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


73 


thought that this condition is the only one in which 
paying gold is found. The combinations of gold 
with various oxides and sulphides of other metals 
are very valuable, and should be studied. 

In almost all gold-bearing regions the iron sul¬ 
phides carry much gold, and in some regions the 
paying gold is found only in this substance. Hence, 
it is well for the prospector to determine the presence 
of gold in the pvrite or whatever sulphide may 
present itself. We, therefore, state a method or two 
of determining the fact that gold exists in this sub¬ 
stance. 

1. To separate gold in metallic sulphides, for instance, 
iron pyrites. Powder the sulphide as finely as pos¬ 
sible. Put about an ounce into a Hessian crucible 
and heat to a very low red heat for an hour, or until 
there is very little escape of sulphur fumes. Remove 
the crucible and put its contents into a porcelain 
dish. Pour over the roasted powder three fluid- 
ounces of strong nitric acid, by drops, until all violent 
action ceases. Add water, 8 or 10 fluidounces; 
the gold, if any, will appear as a very fine black 
powder; filter and dry, pick out a small particle of 
the powder and mash it upon a hard surface, iron 
or agate, in an agate mortar; if it is gold, it will 
Show the gold color. A sufficient quantity of the 
dried powder may be placed upon a piece of charcoal, 
and by means of either 0 or I flame of the blow¬ 
pipe it may be melted, and both by its color and 
softness be proved to be gold. 

There is a difficulty in this process which the 


74 PROSPECTOR *S FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 

prospector may not be able easily to overcome, and 
that is the necessity of using the strongest nitric acid. 
If he has a little laboratory he may readily make 
his own nitric acid of sufficient power, and then he 
possesses the simplest and quickest method of treat¬ 
ing sulphides or any gold-bearing pyrites. The 
process is as follows : This acid may be made from 
common saltpetre and sulphuric acid of commerce. 
Dry the saltpetre after breaking it into small lumps 
of a half inch in diameter, carefully drop the lumps 
into a glass retort, hang the retort on a wire or 
stand, and introduce the beak into a glass bottle. 
Place the bottle in a basin of cold water and you 
may now apply the heat of a lamp, keeping the 
flame low and five or six inches off from the bottom 
of the retort. A coal oil lamp with a short chimney 
may be used, and the heat regulated to a point at 
which brownish vapors appear in the retort. Keep 
enough acid in the retort to barely cover the salt¬ 
petre, and keep cool water in the basin, and the 
vapors come over and condense without much 
trouble. 

Stop the operation when the vapors cease to come 
over and the mass in the retort seems to settle down 
to an even surface. Then draw out the beak of the 
retort and put the glass stopper into the bottle, and 
keep the bottle away from light and heat. Wash 
out the retort, and if you require more nitric acid 
renew the operation. The retort should be tubu¬ 
lated to allow of adding sulphuric acid during the 
‘operation if needed. 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 75 

This acid is a yellowish-brown liquid and is known 
as “ fuming nitric acid,” and is one of those very 
active and convenient aids in the laboratory wdiich 
cannot readily be purchased, and, therefore, must 
generally be made, but so little of it may be used 
that a small quantity goes a great way, and it will 
effect a result which the strongest and purest chem- 
ically-pure nitric acid fails to produce. Its effect is 
to release the gold from the combination of iron and 
sulphur by oxidizing the latter as well as the 
former, and rendering them soluble in w T ater, wdiile 
the gold remains in metallic form of an exceedingly 
fine black powxler as w y e have said. 

2. Another method of detecting and separating 
the gold, where the above method cannot be used, is 
by pulverizing the sulphide ore very finely and 
mixing it w r ith three or four times its w y eight of 
caustic potash or caustic soda, and then subjecting 
the crucible, which contains the mixture, to a low 
red heat till all the contents cease agitation and be¬ 
come perfectly tranquil. Then remove the crucible, 
wait till all is cool, and then add hydrochloric 
(muriatic) acid in an amount equal to three or four 
times the bulk of the mass. To this, after standing 
three or four hours in a warm place, add the usual 
nitric acid (about an ounce), after transferring all the 
liquid to a porcelian dish, or, next best, to a beaker- 
glass. Let it stand in a warm place for about an 
hour, then add a little more nitric acid (about half 
ounce), stir it well w r ith a glass rod or strip of glass, 
and let it stand again for an hour or two. Examine 


76 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

carefully, and if it seems to have been dissolved 
more thoroughly than before, add a little more nitric 
acid and warm again, stirring well as before. If no 
more seems to be dissolved, then filter and wash the 
sediment in the filter and let it dry, and remove the 
filter and contents for further examination. Now 
precipitate the gold from the filtrate by pouring into 
it a solution of ferrous sulphate. [Any clear green 
crystals of “ copperas ” (sulphate of iron) of the 
drug store, filtered, after saturated solution in clean 
rain-water and kept in corked bottles, will answer 
this purpose.] Let the solution stand in a warm 
place for an hour, drop in a few more drops, and if 
any further precipitation takes place, add half an 
ounce of the sulphate, stir it again, let it remain an 
hour longer in a warm place till all precipitation 
ceases. Decant the supernatant clear water and 
transfer the remainder to a filter-paper carefully, 
and a little at a time, to avoid breaking the filter- 
paper, then rinse the porcelain dish to get all par¬ 
ticles upon the filter-paper, and, when all the liquid 
has passed through, let it dry and remove all the 
contents of the paper to a small porcelain capsule or 
crucible, and apply the heat of the blow-pipe to burn 
off the paper or any organic substance which may 
have got into the powder ; the gold remains, which 
may be gathered upon charcoal and melted into a 
globule by the concentrated flame of the blow-pipe, 
if in small quantity. Lastly, examine the contents 
of the filter which was laid aside; and, if any ap¬ 
pearance of gold is noted, separate it under exami¬ 
nation by a pocket lens. 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


77 


The high value of gold renders even a grain of 
gold to the ounce of ore, if that ounce is an average 
ounce in the ton, worth $80 to the ton, of 2000 
pounds. Hence, a pyrites which contains a half 
grain to the half ounce may prove too valuable to 
neglect. In the Brazils, in deep mines, the ore 
yields only half an ounce to the ton of ore, and yet 
it is mined at a profit.* In California, a continuous 
yield of three-eighths to half an ounce of gold to the 
ton of quartz is considered profitable working, f 
It must be remembered, however, that the above 
process of extracting the gold from a pyritous ore does 
not extract with perfect accuracy all the gold unless 
conducted with more care and time than we have 
suggested, but it is sufficient to reveal the fact that 
the ore is valuable. 

3. The following method requires more time and 
care and the use of a little furnace, but will give 
very accurate results. Pulverize the ore supposed 
to contain any gold, whether pyritous or not. Heat it 
in a crucible very gradually at first, increasing the 
heat to drive off as much sulphur as possible, fre¬ 
quently stirring it and increasing the heat till all 
fumes seem to have escaped. Withdraw it and 
prepare a crucible (clay or Hessian crucible), by 
dipping it in a strong solution of borax in water, 
and heating the crucible and repeating the dipping 
and heating till the crucible shows a glazed inside. 

*Makins’ Metallurgy, p. 227. 

f Davies’ Metalliferous Minerals and Mining, p. 54. 


78 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

Then transfer all the roasted powdered ore, after 
weighing it (if you desire relative quantity), into 
the crucible, and cover it with the following mixture 
(called a flux): Six times the weight of ore in 
litharge, one of dry borax, and about twenty grains 
of charcoal pulverized. Heat slowly at first, not 
allowing much foaming, until all is quiet and the 
metal button settles down at the bottom of the 
crucible. Cool and break the crucible to extract 
the button of metal, which is now ready for cupel¬ 
ling. (For this process, see p. 63.) 

We have given these three methods of separating 
gold from all the usual ores, any one of which may 
readily be used, and a little practice will enable the 
operator to be expert in their use. A great deal 
more depends upon the skill of the operator than 
upon the cost of his appliances. 

IN REVIEW WITH ADDITIONAL REMARKS. 

We have not thought it important to give a list 
of places in the world where gold has been found. 
Our object is to indicate where gold may be found, 
and in the search derive some aid from observing 
the conditions in which gold has already been found. 
From what has been said, it is plain that gold is 
primarily to be found in the oldest rock, and those 
rocks which are thrown up as dykes and which have 
been shot up through other rocks by subterranean 
forces. But while this is the primary origin or 
source, so far as observation goes, or science suggests, 
yet another source of native gold exists in the ah 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


79 


luvial or drift of all countries, having been derived 
through disintegration from its primary condition ; 
and not only in the disintegrated drift and loose 
material carried down streams or in the rush of 
floods, but also spread over the plains or floors of 
ancient seas, which during the past ages have been 
consolidated into rock or slate, and hence, as we 
have said, it is found in the metamorphic rock or 
shales and schists. And yet there is one more im¬ 
portant source which the prospector has always to 
keep in memory, and that is, the auriferous quartz, 
which, as has been stated, is not an igneous or meta¬ 
morphic rock, nor yet it is of sedimentary origin or 
nature, but, as supposed, the great ancient solvent 
of the finer particles scattered over the rocks, and 
because of great heat and pressure, forced into fis¬ 
sures and cracks, and there, through some chemical 
or physical cause, precipitating its gold, it has solid¬ 
ified. 

The practical drift of these theories will lead 
the prospector to expect that in the streams bearing 
gold the sources of gold are to be sought at the heads 
of the streams. He will pay special attention to the 
immediate vicinity of angles and bends and forks of 
the stream, and especially to rough portions, such as 
cataracts and falls. He will also study the courses 
of ancient river beds, especially where ancient pits 
and recesses have been filled by overflowing lava or 
covered over, as where plains have been formed by 
volcanic rocks over auriferous channels and valleys. 

Where the sources of auriferous sands lead up to 


80 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

chains of hills or mountains of granite or meta- 
morphic slates or rocks, the search should be for 
quartz reefs or outcrops along the strike, or line of 
ridges, or their serrated edges. 

It sometimes happens that along such outcrops 
or reefs rusty or brown quartz fragments are found. 
These fragments frequently contain gold, sometimes 
in minute quantities and sometimes so discolored by 
the pyrites, which have become weather-changed, as 
to deceive one who is unaware of this peculiarity. 

This fact is important to keep in memory, for 
some of the most valuable gold deposits have been 
developed beneath just such outcrops, or lower down 
in the quartz the deposits have proved to be rich. 

Another fact should be remembered, that with 
the modern crushing machinery which has been 
brought into use, together with the use of chlorine 
under pressure* to dissolve gold, it is quite possible 
to use quartz with finely disseminated particles and 
make it pay remarkably well, when such quartz 
may contain gold in such minute dissemination as 
scarcely to be visible under the lens. When, there¬ 
fore, such quartz is found, it must not be supposed 
to be too poor to be profitable, but be preserved and 
the place of its origin noted for future examination. 

Phillips gives the following rule for ascertaining 
the amount of gold in a lump of auriferous quartz : 

The specific gravity of gold is 19.000. 

The specific gravity of quartz is 2.600. 


*As in the Newbury-Vautin process. 


SPECIAL MINERALOGY-GOLD. 


81 


These numbers are given here merely for conven¬ 
ience in explaining the rule; they do not accurately 
represent the specific gravities of all quartz and 
quartz gold. (The quartz gold of California has 
not, on an average, a specific gravity of more than 
18.600). 

1. Ascertain the specific gravity of the lump. 
Suppose it to be 8.067. 

2. Deduct the specific gravity of the lump from 
the specific gravity of the gold ; the difference is the 
ratio of the quartz by volume: 19.000 — 8.067 
= 10.933. 

3. Deduct the specific gravity of the quartz from 
the specific gravity of the lump; the difference is 
the ratio of the gold by volume : 8.067 — 2.600 = 
5.467. 

4. Add these ratios together and proceed by the 
rule of proportion. The product is the percentage 
of gold by bulk : 10.933 + 5.467 = 16.400. Then, 
as 16.400 is to 5.467, so is 100 to 33.35. 

5. Multiply the percentage of gold in bulk by its 
specific gravity. The product is the ratio of the 
gold in the lump by weight: 33.35 x 19.00 = 643.65. 

6. Multiply the percentage of quartz by bulk 
(which must be 66.65, since that of gold is 33.35) by 
its specific gravity. The product is the ratio of the 
quartz in the lunlp by weight: 66.65 X 2.60 — 
173.29. 

7. To find the percentage, add these two ratios 
together and proceed by the rule of proportion : 
633.65 + 173.29 = 806.94. Then, as 806.94 is to 

6 


82 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


633.65, so is 100 to 78.53. Hence, a lump of aurif¬ 
erous quartz having a specific gravity of 8.069, con¬ 
tains 78.53 per cent., of gold by weight. The 
Mines, Miners, and Mining Interests of the United 
States in 1882, by Wm. Ralston Balch, Phila., p. 
761. 


CHAPTER VI. 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 

Platinum occurs native and in flattened or 
angular grains or nuggets which are malleable. Its 
color and streak are steel-gray. Lustre metallic 
bright. Isometric, but is seldom found in crystals. 
Hardness 4 to 4.5. Specific gravity 16 to 19. As 
heavy as gold, and, therefore, easily distinguished 
and separated from lighter materials. Before the 
blowpipe it is infusible; not affected by borax, ex¬ 
cept as containing some metal, as iron or copper, 
which gives the reaction. Soluble only in heated 
nitro-muriatic acid. 

Platinum is never found pure, but always in 
union with several rare metals, as iridium, osmium, 
palladium, and rhodium, of which only the first is 
of any importance, being used in some cases for its 
extreme hardness. It is also associated with small 
quantities of gold, copper, and iron. 

Platinum has been found in California, in small 
quantities and in other parts of the United States. 
Some years ago some was brought from the region 
of the Yellowstone River to Philadelphia, professedly 
found near that' river by the miner who brought it 
for examination, but who declined to state at what 
particular place. It was in grains, some of which 
( 83 ) 


84 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

were in shape and size as large as buck-shot, though 
more irregular in form. The largest nugget oi 
native platinum ever known was found in 1827, in 
the Ural mountains, and weighed 21 pounds. 

The mineral known as Sperrylite contains 56.7 
per cent, of platinum. Thus far it has only been 
found in the Sudbury section of Ontario, Canada. 
Its color is tin-white ; lustre bright; hardness about 
7 ; specific gravity 10.6. 

Platinum is found, as is the case with gold, in the 
alluvial and sands of rivers, probably washed down 
from crystalline rocks. It has also been traced up 
into mountain regions. 

It may be distinguished by its great weight, by 
its gray color, its sectile nature, and by the fact that 
it will not dissolve in any simple acid, and with 
difficulty in nitro-muriatic acid (aqua-regia). It 
may be distinguished from lead by its action, under 
the blowpipe flame, since lead melts immediately, 
leaving a yellowish coating, while platinum refuses 
to melt under the hottest flame, and leaves no coat¬ 
ing whatever. When it exists in the alluvial soil 
it may be “ panned out ” just as gold or other heavy 
metals, and even more easily because of its greater 
gravity. 

It may be found in some metal-bearing veins in 
crystalline metamorphic and even syenite rock, from 
which it has been washed down just as in the case 
of gold. In the latter condition it has been found 
more extensively than in any other. 

Its chemical test is as follows ; Dissolve the grains 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


85 


of the ore in nitro-muriatic acid (4 parts muriatic 
acid to 1 part nitric), preferably with gentle heat, 
add proto-chloride of tin (solution) also called stan¬ 
nous chloride (SnCl 2 ); if platinum is present a 
dark brownish red color will he produced, but no 
precipitate. 

The metal may be obtained separate from its gold, 
and in the presence of many other metals, by evap¬ 
orating the above solution of the ore in a porcelain 
dish to dryness, at a gentle heat with ammonium 
chloride (sal ammoniac or muriate of ammonia), 
and the residue treated with dilute alcohol (one- 
fourth part water). The gold will remain in solu¬ 
tion and the platinum be precipitated, the precipi¬ 
tate to be ignited when the platinum will he pure. 
The gold, if present, may be precipitated by adding 
a solution of ferrous sulphate, after evaporating off 
the alcohol. Ferrous sulphate is proto-sulphate of 
iron (copperas in crystals). 

Stannous chloride may readily be purchased at 
any chemist’s warehouse, but as it is easily pre¬ 
pared we give the best method as follows: File a 
piece of tin into powder and heat very hot (nearly 
to boiling) with strong hydrochloric acid in a porce¬ 
lain dish or beaker glass, always keeping tin in the 
glass or dish, by adding tin if necessary. When no 
hydrogen gas is- evolved ( i . e., no bubbles arise), 
dilute with four times its bulk of pure water, 
slightly acidulated with hydrochloric (muriatic) 
acid, and filter. Keep the filtrate in a well-stop¬ 
pered bottle in which some tin has been placed. If 


86 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

you have pure tin-foil, that form of tin may be 
used, for without the presence of metallic tin the 
stannous chloride (SnCl 2 ) is in danger of changing 
into stannic chloride (SnCl 4 ) with precipitation of 
a white substance (oxychloride of tin), which ren¬ 
ders the reagent unfit for use. 

Iridium and palladium occur Avith platinum, 
and must be separated from it. 

Platiniridium occurs in varying proportions of 
the two metals and accompanies gold—color, white. 
It must be separated chemically. It is found as 
with platinum in small quantities in the alluvial 
and drifts, as in the case of placer gold. 

Silver. This metal occurs native in various 
shapes, as in small grains in the rock, as branching 
and leaf-like, and also in small octahedral crystals 
and in other forms. Hardness, 2.3 to 3 ; specific 
gravity, 10.1 to 11.1, according to its purity. It is 
never found absolutely pure, but contains some 
gold and frequently a little copper. 

It is always sectile and malleable, and in this re¬ 
spect very easily distinguished from a substance 
frequently mistaken for native silver, namely, mis- 
pickel, which is an arsenide of iron , having very 
much the appearance of silver, hut always brittle. 

Before the Blow-pipe, on charcoal, native 
silver is distinguished from tin, zinc, antimony, or 
bismuth, by the fact that it melts and leaves no 
whiteness or any other appearance of oxide upon 
the coal around the globule. 

Tin will leave a white film and lead a j^ellow; 


PLATINUM, ETC.—SILVER. 


87 


zinc a yellow which whitens on cooling. But silver 
leaves no film or cloud of any kind upon the coal. 

The Chemical Test of silver is as follows: Dis¬ 
solve the metal in nitric acid in a test-tube, prefer¬ 
ably with the heat of an alcohol flame, but not to the 
boiling point. Add an equal amount of pure water 
(clear rain water will answer), then drop in several 
drops of a solution of common table salt (or muriatic 
acid). If a cloudy white precipitate occurs which 
settles and blackens after exposure, of a few seconds, 
to sunlight or a few minutes to daylight, the sub¬ 
stance is silver. 

It should be remembered at this point, that this 
test is for silver alone, since lead and mercury are 
also precipitated as a white cloud by the same solu¬ 
tion, but neither blackens by exposure to the light. 
This distinguishes silver. If, however, further 
proof is needed, drop into the test tube strong 
ammonia water; the precipitate is dissolved if it is 
that of silver, it is not if it be of lead, and it is 
blackened by the ammonia if it is mercury. 

If there is much copper in the silver it may be 
detected by dipping a clean strip of polished iron 
or steel into the solution, for the metallic copper 
will immediately appear upon the surface of the 
iron. 

It must not always be supposed that native silver 
is metallic or white in appearance, for it is readily 
tarnished by sulphur, and the proximity of sulphur 
in other minerals or in water may greatly discolor 
the native silver. 


88 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

Comparatively speaking, very little of the silver 
of the mines is derived from native silver. Most of 
the silver of commerce is obtained from some of the 
minerals named below, which are combinations of 
silver with other metals, and with sulphur or 
chlorine, as sulphides of silver, etc., in which condi¬ 
tion they bear no resemblance to native silver. 

But in all silver minerals of any commercial 
value, the already mentioned tests are usually suf¬ 
ficient to detect the existence of silver. 

Other forms in which silver is found are— 

Silver Sulphides are very largely associated 
with lead sulphides or galena, and sometimes called, 
when pure, silver glance or argentite. This is found 
in masses, but when crystallized it occurs in cubes 
or octahedral forms. When freshly broken it has a 
metallic lustre, otherwise it is of a dull gray or 
leaden appearance. It is sectile, and its “ streak ” 
or the color of its powder is the same as that of the 
mineral itself, and rather shining. Chemical com¬ 
position : silver 87 ; sulphur 18 ; hardness 2 to 2.5 ; 
specific gravity 7.1 to 7.4. 

The ore is soluble in nitric acid, and on adding 
common salt to the solution a white curd is thrown 
down which blackens on exposure to sunlight. It 
is very fusible, giving off an odor of sulphur when 
heated. Before the blow-pipe on charcoal, with or 
without carbonate of soda, it yields a white globule 
of metallic silver which can be flattened under a 
hammer. 

The ore occurs in veins in granite, porphyry, and 
slate, with arsenic, silver and lead ores. 


PLATINUM, ETC.—SILVER. 


89 


Horn Silver (Cerargyrite is the mineralogical 
name). The mineral known under these names is 
a chloride of silver occurring in massive form and 
sometimes in crystals. It has a resinous lustre and 
yields a shining streak. It is translucent on the 
extreme edges, and has a waxy appearance. It cuts 
like horn or wax, and on an outcrop looks like dirt} 7 
cement. It contains 75.3 per cent, silver, and 24.7 
per cent, chlorine when unmixed or nearly pure, 
and then has a pearly-gray or greenish-gray appear¬ 
ance. 

A polished piece of iron may be slightly coated 
wflth silver if a piece of horn silver is moistened and 
rubbed upon the iron. 

Horn silver is very easily fusible, it melting in 
the flame of a candle. Heated with carbonate of 
soda on charcoal, it yields a globule of metallic 
silver. 

This mineral, in various degrees of impurity, 
forms a very large part of the silver-bearing ores of 
some mines in South America, as well as in the 
Western States and Territories of the United States. 
It is a valuable ore. 

Brittle Silver Ore (Stephanite is the minera¬ 
logical name) is a silver sulphide with antimony , and 
is found in masses and sometimes in rhombic prism 
crystals. It is easily distinguised from silver sul¬ 
phide (or glance) by the fact that it is brittle, while 
the glance, if fairly pure, may be cut with a knife 
in chips without breaking. 

This ore is black or iron gray, has a hardness of 


90 prospector’s field-book AND guide. 

2 to 2.5 and a specific gravity of 6.2 to 6.3, and 
when pure, contains 71 per cent..of silver, the rest 
being antimony with some other admixtures, usu¬ 
ally iron or copper. It is an abundant silver ore in 
the Comstock Lode, Nevada (’Figs. 31, 32), in the 
Reese River and Humboldt and other regions, and 
at the silver mines in Idaho. 

On charcoal, under the blowpipe, it decrepitates 
and coats the coal with a film of antimony (anti- 
monous acid), which, after considerable blowing, 
turns red, and a globule of silver is obtained. 

Red Silver Ore, or Ruby Silver, is an ore 
which contains arsenic and antimony, or more usu¬ 
ally arsenic or antimony. That containing only 
antimony is a dark red and is known mineralogic- 
ally as Pyrargyrite ; it contains 59.8 per cent, 
silver, 17.7 per cent, sulphur, and 22.5 per cent, of 
antimony. It occurs generally in crystals. When 
the silver sulphide is associated with arsenic only, 
the color is light red and the name Proustite is 
applied to it. It contains 65.5 per cent, of silver. 
It may contain both arsenic and antimony, and 
have a grayish appearance. In Idaho, it has been 
found in masses of several hundred pounds weight, 
at Poorman Lode (Dana). In Mexico it is worked 
extensively as an ore of silver. 

Bromic Silver or Bromyrite. This is a common 
ore containing bromine 42.6 per cent, and silver 
57.4 per cent. 

There are other minerals in which silver occurs, 
but they are only exceptions or rare, and if one is 


Platinum, etc.—silver. 


91 


acquainted with those mentioned above, he will 
very likely detect the rarer silver minerals which 
are not ores in the usual sense, but they may lead 
when discovered to valuable results. 

Geology of Silver Ores. The most valuable 
ores occur in the earlier or more ancient rocks, such 
as the granitic or gneissoid rocks, clay slates, mica 
schists, older limestones, and in the metamorphic 
rocks. The remarkable geologic conditions under 
which silver ores and veins occur may be under¬ 
stood more readily by the following diagrams than 
by any descriptions without them. (Figs. 31 and 32.) 

In the diagrams the rocks are seen tilted up from 
the horizontal position to one nearly vertical, but 
evidently after this uplifting the trachytic dykes 
were shot through the masses of conglomerate. 
The lodes bearing silver are represented by contin¬ 
uous double lines, and the dykes by dotted vertical 
lines. The entire distance represented from Sutro 
to the west end of the diagram is about 5J miles, 
on a course east and west, being the same as that of 
the Sutro tunnel upon this branch, which joins or 
intersects to the north and south branch of the 
tunnel at the Comstock lode. 

In order that the superficial nature of the country 
may be understood, we have given the north and 
south section of the same region, showing some of 
the mines by vertical black lines and by shaded 
spaces where the mines have been worked more or 
less extensively. (Fig. 32.) 

The north and south section exhibits the hilly 


92 


prospector’s field-book: and guide. 



^ «J 


g 

o 

g) 

o 

o 


o 

o 

Si 

o 


= 

<u 

cc 


SECTION ACROSS THE COMSTOCK LODE AND SURROUNDING STRATA, EAST AND WEST. 












































PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


93 


surface, and fully illustrates the work of the pros¬ 
pector who would become acquainted with the min¬ 
eral deposits of a similar region. 

It will be seen in the east and west section that 
all the lodes outcrop. (Fig. 31.) The non-metallic 
substances of these lodes are quartz, fluorspar, with, 
perhaps, some chlorides or sulphides; the latter may 
be metallic, and there may occur some traces of 
gold and silver, perhaps also of antimony, lead, 
etc. The wisest course, therefore, is for the pros¬ 
pector, after having settled in which direction the 
strike or course of the strata runs, to make an ex¬ 
amination directly across the strata, the chief object 
being to learn the nature of the rocks of the region, 
and, at the same time, to detect the outcropping of 
any lodes or dykes. 

His object is to become acquainted with the strata 
by means of the loose material, the fragments, or 
small outcropping rocks, where he cannot penetrate 
beneath the soil. 

It may become necessary to traverse a great dis¬ 
tance before any certain information may be gained, 
and where the hill surfaces are covered with soil, 
the ravines will frequently disclose the nature of the 
rock. 

It will be noticed that the Comstock Lode begins 
immediately adjoining the syenite rock, and at the 
outcrop extends six or eight times the actual thick¬ 
ness of the lode below. It is also apparent that the 
lodes generally, at least in this region, bifurcate 
near the surface, even in the syenite, and when an 


94 prospector’s field-book and guide, 



ill 


s“ 




NORTH AND SOUTH SECTION OF THE COMSTOCK LODE, SHOWING THE MINES AND THE SURFACE. 

















































PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


95 


outcrop has been discovered, the probability is that 
not far off another outcrop of the same lode may he 
found (Fig. 31). 

The Comstock Lode has been traced for four or 
five miles north and south, but the values of the 
deposits are not uniform. The great bodies of 
ore may be seen in the north and south section 
where the excavations are largest, as around the 
Savage, and from the Exchequer to the Crown 
Point properties. But this whole region is filled 
with dykes and lodes for miles beyond the Comstock 
Lode, which lies on the eastern slope of a range of 
hills running somewhat parallel, but about fifteen 
miles east of the great Sierra Nevada range, south 
of the Pacific Railroad, and between the lakes 
Bigler and Carson in the western part of the State. 

In the east of Nevada, at the Eureka Mines, the 
ores are found in a bed of limestone overlying the 
granites, quartzose slates, and metamorphic rocks of 
great thickness. The limestone containing the ore 
is about 300 feet thick. But while the immediate 
geology varies from that of the Comstock, the general 
facts are the same, namely, that the silver-bearing 
lodes are in or very near the granites or earliest 
rocks. In this case the overlying rocks, though 
limestone, are dolomitic, containing from 36 to 46 
per cent, of carbonate of magnesia, and the min¬ 
eralized belt of limestone, or that containing the 
ores, is very much broken, and in some places ap¬ 
parently crushed, as if it had been subjected to a 
grinding process, and then partly rejoined by the 


96 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

cementing power of calcareous matter deposited 
from solution in percolating water. 

A peculiarity in this last described limestone is 
ound in the large caverns which occur along the 
course of mineral deposit, On the floors of these 
caverns are found beds of ore which seem to have 
dropped from their position in the limestone, as 
that has been dissolved out and carried off where 
the fissures easily permitted the percolating waters 
to pass rapidly away. 

The geology of this region appears to be in the 
order of granites, quartzose slates, and metamorphic 
rocks of great thickness, limestones containing segre¬ 
gations of ore, calcareous shales, and these sur¬ 
mounted by limestones also of great thickness. The 
special region to which this geological series refers 
is in the Ruby Hill mines. 

The Emma Mine, with many others, is situated 
still further east, in the Wahsatch range of moun¬ 
tains, which runs north and south about twenty 
miles east of the Great Salt Lake. This mine is 
about the same distance southeast of the Great Salt 
Lake. The adjacent rocks of this mine are granite, 
in massive beds dipping from 50° to 70° eastward. 
This is overlaid by quartzites of a reddish color, 
then occurs a series of slates, upon which are thick 
beds of white limestone, and these pass rapidly into 
the carboniferous dolomitic limestone. It is in 
these last limestones that the ore deposits of the 
Emma and adjacent mines are worked. 

It is a fact, however, that the ores are mainly 


PLATINUM, ETC.-SILVER. 


97 


silica and lead, of which there is over 70 per cent. 
The amount of silver is about 0.40 to 0.50 of 1 per 
cent, according to some analyses. A sample amount 
of 82 tons, gross, yielded 156 ounces of silver. 

These three mining districts present the general 
geologic conditions in which the silver ores are 
found in these and other States and Territories, and 
the prospector should expect to find surface indica¬ 
tions accordingly, but modified more or less by ex¬ 
posure to weather. 

Although, from the preceding illustrations, silver 
is shown to be found both in the very early groups 
of rocks and in the carboniferous limestone, the 
latter is the exception, and appears to be the case 
only when that limestone has occurred with little 
or no separating horizons from the- earliest rocks. 


CHAPTER VII. 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 

Copper. It occurs both native and in a compound 
state. Native copper is found in various shapes, 
and even in octahedral crystals. Its color is copper 
red ; it is always sectile and malleable; hardness 
2.5 to 3, specific gravity 8.5 to 8.9, according to 
purity. Frequently associated with native silver. 
It is tested by the blow-pipe; giving in small quan¬ 
tities blue tinge to almost black in the borax bead, 
according to quantity used, and the kind of flame, 
whether inner or B, or outer or 0, the latter giving 
blue color, the former giving the copper color or 
metallic opaque brown. 

Chemically , it dissolves readily in nitric acid, and, 
if ammonia be added, the solution becomes green, 
or greenish-blue if ammonia be in excess. 

In the absence of any chemicals or a blow-pipe, 
the mineral, when containing native copper, or 
when only a compound containing copper, may be 
tested by heating it either in the mass, or, better, in 
powder, and when hot dropping it into some salty 
grease and then putting it in a flame or upon burn¬ 
ing charcoal, when the characteristic green color 
will appear in the flame with great distinctness. 

Moreover, if the mineral contains copper in con- 
( 98 ) 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 99 

siderable quantity and it is dissolved in nitric acid, 
the copper will be deposited immediately upon a 
strip of polished iron or upon the end of a knife- 
blade, if either be dipped into the solution. 

Various minerals contain copper, but many in so 
small proportions that it would not be lucrative to 
work them as ores. We mention several of the 
more important ores of copper, and also some copper 
minerals, which, to the prospector, will be sug¬ 
gestive that the more important ores are not far off. 

Red copper ore or ruby copper ( Cuprite is the 
mineralogical name): Occurs massive, granular, and 
earthy ; brittle ; if in crystals, octahedral and twelve¬ 
sided ; nearly opaque; deep red or ruby colored, 
sometimes weathered to an iron-gray on the surface ; 
hardness 3.5 to 4 ; specific gravity 8. Composed of 
copper 88.78 per cent., the remainder oxygen when 
pure. 

Before the blow-pipe, on charcoal, it yields a 
globule of metallic copper; with borax bead gives 
* the indications of copper. It forms a blue solution 
in nitric acid. These tests distinguish it from red 
oxide of iron. It occurs in granite and slate with 
copper ores, and galena and forms a valuable source 
of the metal. 

Copper Glance or Vitreous Copper ( Chalcocite 
is the mineralogical name)—massive—slightly sec- 
tile ; color blackish-gray, tarnishing to blue or green. 
Hardness 2.5-3; specific gravity 5.5-5. 8. Com¬ 
posed of copper 77.2 ; sulphur 20.6, and sometimes 
of a little iron. It is fusible in a candle flame. 


100 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

Before the blow-pipe it gives off an odor of sul¬ 
phur. When heated on charcoal, a malleable 
globule of metallic copper remains, tarnished black, 
but rendered evident on flattening under a hammer. 
With borax bead it gives the indications of copper. 
Dissolves in nitric acid forming a blue solution. 
These tests distinguish it from sulphide of silver. 
Occurs with other copper ores. 

Gray Copper (Tetrahedrite is the mineralogical 
name): brittle; steel-gray or iron-black, sometimes 
brownish ; hardness 3-4 ; specific gravity 4.75-5.1. 
Composed of copper 38.6, sulphur 26.3, and fre¬ 
quently antimony and arsenic, zinc, iron, silver, etc. 
It frequently contains silver and sometimes as much 
as 25 to 30 per cent. Before the blow-pipe it gives 
a bead of copper or copper and silver. It occurs 
with copper pyrites, galena and blende. This ore 
is wrought for copper and occasionally for silver. 

Copper pyrites (Chalcopyrite is the mineralogical 
name). Massive : color is a brass yellow, sometimes 
tarnished aud iridescent. Hardness 3.5 to 4, specific 
gravity 4.15. Composed of copper 34.6; sulphur 
34.9 ; iron 30.5. Before the blow-pipe it fuses to a 
magnetic globule on charcoal, and with borax me¬ 
tallic copper is the result. It is sometimes mistaken 
for gold, or iron, or tin pyrites. But it is brittle, 
gold is not; it will not strike fire as does iron pyrites, 
and it may be distinguished from tin pyrites by the 
film that tin pyrites leaves on the charcoal, while 
copper pyrites leaves no residue under the blow¬ 
pipe. It occurs in granite and slate in lodes or 
veins, and is a valuable ore of copper. 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 101 

Silicate of Copper (Chrysocolla is the minera- 
logical name) is a, bright green or bluish-green 
mineral, scarcely worthy of being called an ore, al¬ 
though it contains from 35 to 40 per cent, copper 
and a large amount of silica. It is a secondary de¬ 
posit. Its hardness is 2 to 4, and specific gravity 
2 to 2.3. Its only significance to the prospector is 
that it may be associated with true ores. Its 
powder (streak) is white, while the mineral itself is 
green ; this is due to the quartz or silex in the min¬ 
eral. It does not entirely dissolve in nitric acid. 
Before the blow-pipe with soda, it gives a bead of 
copper. 

Black oxide of copper is usually found on the 
surface, and is generally due to the decomposition 
of some sulphide or other copper ore. It occurs in 
masses of a dark, earthy appearance, and sometimes 
in minute shining particles, and soils the fingers 
when handled. 

Malachite, green carbonate of copper, has a 
fibrous structure nearly opaque, and of an emerald- 
green color, and contains about 57 per cent, of cop¬ 
per. In hardness it is 3.5 to 4, and in specific 
gravity 3.6 to 4. 

Before the blow-pipe it becomes blackish. With 
borax it yields the usual blue-green bead, and on 
charcoal is reduced to metallic copper. It com¬ 
pletely dissolves in nitric acid, and thus it may be 
distinguished from silicate of copper, which has. 
nearly the same color and will not dissolve. 

Blue Carbonate of copper (Azurite is the min- 


102 PROSPECTORS FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


eralogical name) is only used for ornamental pur¬ 
poses. It is of a deep blue color, sometimes trans¬ 
parent, brittle, and gives a bluish streak. It has a 
hardness of 3.5 to 4.5 and a specific gravity of 3.7 
to 4. Can be scratched with a knife. It blackens 
when heated. On charcoal it is reduced to a 
globule of pure copper. With the borax bead it 
gives the indications of copper. It is soluble in 
nitric acid with effervescence, forming a blue 
solution. 

Variegated Copper Pyrites (Bornite is the min- 
eralogical name, but is also called Erubiscite ): 

Fig. 33. 


4> h "b 1) 



Section of the copper bed at the dolly hide mine, Maryland, a, Slate. 
b, b, b, b, Ore beds or segregations of ore. c, c, c, c, Crystalline limestone 
(metamorphic). 


usually massive, of a copper-red to a pinchbeck- 
brown color and a blackish to lead-gray streak. 
Hardness 2.5 to 3, specific gravity 5.5 to 5.8. It 
contains 79.8 per cent, copper and 20.2 per cent, of 









Copper, anR how measurer in ores. 103 


sulphur. Before the blow-pipe it gives a bead of 
copper. 

The geology of copper is more varied than that 
of many other metals, as it occurs in rocks of almost 
every age. In Cornwall the slates are more pro¬ 
ductive than the granites, while in our mines in the 
Eastern States the new red sandstone, the carbon¬ 
iferous limestone, arid silurian rocks furnish copper. 
Also found in the metamorpliic limestone, near 
slate (Fig. 33). In the Lake Superior region, 
where large deposits of native copper are found, the 
rocks are sandstones and shales underlying green¬ 
stone or a kind of trap, and in some places seem to 
be igneous (Fig. 34, 35). Ruby copper ore occurs 


Fig. 34. 



Section of strata in lake superior copper region, a, Granite, b, Gneis- 
soid. c, Greenstone, hornblende, conglomerates with interstratified slates. 
d, Slaty rocks and traps, etc. e , Potsdam sandstone. C, C, places of copper 
deposits. 0, B, Iron ore beds. Section from N. W. to <S. E. 


Fig. 35 



Copper. Section of the eagle vein, lake superior, a, Poryphyritic 
rocks, b, Greenstone c, c, Conglomerate, d, d, d, Amygdaloid bearing cop¬ 
per. e, e, e, Shafts /, Montreal River. 















104 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

in Arizona between quartzose and hornblendic 
rocks and limestone. It occurs in both lodes and 
deposits, and the best way for the prospector to pre¬ 
pare for actual discovery is to make himself well 
acquainted with the copper compounds, whether 
ores or minerals. They may indicate true ores, 
although they contain little copper. 

To become ready in the detection of copper as an 
ore the following facts should be kept in mind, as 
furnishing suggestions for skillful practice. (Figs. 
33, 34, and 35.) 

1. All copper ores weigh more than quartz or 
limestone, and the comparative weights should be 
so well known by practice that there should be no 
hesitation in judging that the mineral you hold is 
more than 2.6 in specific gravity, 2.6 being that of 
either quartz or limestone. 

2. Next examine the mineral with your pocket 
lens for any evidence of copper, such as green or 
bluish spots, or brassy points or particles; if found, 
chip one off and use the blow-pipe with borax bead 
or with soda or borax on charcoal. If the char¬ 
acteristic color appears, it is copper. Now proceed 
with other parts of the specimen. If a sulphury 
smell is plain, it is probably a sulphide. Place a 
small chip upon a depression in the charcoal, cover 
with soda or borax, turn the inner flame upon it 
and reduce to a metallic globule; if it shows the 
color of copper and is malleable, it is copper; if it 
blackens apply your magnetized knife-blade, and if 
it is attracted the mineral contains iron, and it may 
contain both iron and copper. 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 105 

3. The next work is~ to examine the region to 
gather any other specimens and evidences of true 
ores, before attenpting to know more of any particular 
specimen. If the surface specimens are numerous 
it may be well to gather some six or eight and pro¬ 
ceed to an examination as to the available copper. 
This is now the work of the chemist, and should be 
submitted to him. But as the skilful prospector 
frequently wishes to be his own chemist, where 
work for the desired object is not difficult nor very 
complicated, we give the following simple process of 
arriving at the per cent, of copper in an ore without 
regard to other elements contained therein : 

To OBTAIN THE PER CENT. OF COPPER IN AN ORE. 

The only chemicals needed are nitric acid, ammonia, 
and sodium sulphide (the colorless crystallized hy¬ 
drosulphide of soda of commerce is good enough). 
All the apparatus needed are a glass flask or tall 
beaker-glass and a marked tall glass called a burette. 
This glass may be obtained at any chemical ware¬ 
house. The burette is marked in cubic inches or 
cubic centimetres, from 25 to 100. Dissolve some 
sodium sulphide in clear rain-water (about a half 
ounce to a pint). Keep the solution in a glass- 
stoppered bottle. Obtain some pure copper (ordi¬ 
nary good copper wire will answer), weigh the piece 
accurately and dissolve in nitric acid, add some 
water (twice the amount of acid used, or a little 
more), then add ammonia until, when stirred with 
a long piece of glass or glass rod, the solution smells 
strongly of ammonia (the ammonia must be in ex- 


106 prospector’s FIELD-BOOK AnB GtJlDfi. 

cess). Now fill the burette with sodium sulphide to 
the 100 mark, and from the burette pour into the 
copper solution until the blue color of copper entirely 
disappears; note on the burette by its marks the 
exact amount of sodium sulphide used. That 
amount represents the weight of the amount of 
copper used. 

Now for the ore. Pulverize some of the averaged 
ore, weigh it, and treat it as you did the copper 
with nitric acid and ammonia, and proceed with 
the sodium sulphide. When the ore solution has 
become entirely colorless, note what amount of 
sodium sulphide solution you have used, and you 
may then calculate the exact amount of copper 
in the ore by simple proportion. The presence of 
tin, zinc, lead, iron, cadmium, antimony, arsenic, or 
bismuth in the ore does not interfere with the opera¬ 
tion. But silver does. Therefore, a small amount 
of the ore must be dissolved in nitric acid (free from 
all muriatic acid or chlorine, as this would precipitate 
the silver before you would notice it), and tested 
by dropping into the solution a drop or two of 
hydrochloric acid or solution of common table salt 
(sodium chloride), If any silver exists in the ore a 
milky cloudiness will appear, of a density greater or 
less, in accordance with the amount of silver present. 
If no silver appears, then you may proceed as 
already directed. If silver does appear, then the 
solution containing the weighed ore must first be 
treated with the salt solution or diluted hydrochloric 
acid, until all cloudiness or white precipitate en- 


COPPER, AND HOW MEASURED IN ORES. 107 

tirely ceases. The solution of ore now contains no 
silver and you may proceed as directed. 

This process is sufficiently accurate for all assays 
provided the following precautions are observed :— 

1. Heat the copper solution (after adding the am¬ 
monia) to boiling point or little below while adding 
the sodium sulphide. 2. Add a little ammonia to 
the ammoniacal solution to keep it from losing am¬ 
monia by evaporation. 3. When the blue am¬ 
moniacal solution begins to lose its color, drop the 
sodium sulphide in cautiously so as not to exceed 
the amount necessary to exactly precipitate the cop¬ 
per and no more. 

Note the precipitates: The sodium sulphide first 
produces its black precipitate of copper sulphide, 
but before that takes place the ammonia will pro¬ 
duce another precipitate, provided the copper con¬ 
tains any lead or tin. If the copper contains zinc, 
that will be precipitated immediately following the 
black copper sulphide, but will be white. If it con¬ 
tains any cadmium, that will be precipitated at the 
very moment the decoloration takes place, if the 
adding of the sodium sulphide is continued. Cad¬ 
mium is known by a beautiful clear yellow precipi¬ 
tate. With care and skill each may be noticed. 

In simply determining the amount of copper, 
however, no regard need be had to any of these pre¬ 
cipitates, only pay attention to the point of de¬ 
coloration. 

4. The sodium sulphide may need proving to see 
if it has lost any of its strength if kept long, and 


108 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

this may be done by a new trial with a new solution 
holding a known amount of copper. Or, exactly 
the same weight of crystals of sodium sulphide to 
the same amount of pure water may be used as 
before, and the old solution thrown away. Or, by 
re-testing the sodium sulphide the same solution 
may be used for a long time, for, if it has become 
weakened, make allowance for the additional sodium 
sulphide required. It should be kept in a cool 
place, out of the sun and light also. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


LEAD AND TIN. 

Lead. It very rarely occurs native, it then has 
a hardness of 1.5 and specific gravity 11.3 to 11.4. 
But the most usual ore of lead is the sulphide called 
Galena. When chemically pure it contains 86.55 
lead and 13.45 sulphur. Its gravity is 7.2 to 7.6, 
according to admixtures. 

Galena almost always contains silver, and hence 
all galenas should be tested for silver. 



NIAGARA LIMESTONE. 

1 CAMBRO- 
SILURIAN 

! 

( Galena limestone which bears lead. 

| Trenton limestone, fossils. 

Sandstones, shales, and calcareous beds. 
Lower ‘magnesian limestones. 

[ Lower limit of lead. 


WHITE POTSDAM SANDSTONE. 

CAMBRIAN - 

Upper— 

Fossiliferous slates. 

Lower— 

Dolomitic limestones. 

Dark sandstones. 


Order of Strata in the Lead District of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. 


Test for Silver in Galena. Powder the 
galena and dissolve it in strong nitric acid (fuming 
acid is best, which we have described), then dip a 

(109) 









110 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

piece of polished copper strip, and, if silver exists in 
any amount, there will be formed a film of silver on 
the copper. If the film becomes decidedly silvery, 
and in a short time, the ore should be laid aside for 
a more careful analysis, directions for which we 
shall give. The geology and form of lodes of the 
galena ores are seen in Figs. 36, 37. 

Fig. 36. 



Galena is found associated with zinc sulphide 
(blende), iron pyrites, fluorspar, antimony, carbon¬ 
ate of lime, sulphate of baryta, also with copper 
pyrites, but very seldom wfith more than two of 
these minerals at a time. 

In several regions, but very extensively in Colo¬ 
rado, a rich carbonate of lead has been found. 
(Fig. 37.) 

Carbonate of Lead ( Cerussite , mineralogical 
name). If perfectly pure, its composition is lead 
83.6, carbonic acid 16.4. As a mineral its hard¬ 
ness is 3 to 3.5, its specific gravity 6.4 to 6,5, 



LEAD AND TIN. 


Ill 


Color (if freshly broken), white to gray, or even 
black, if it has been much weathered. If in good 
condition it is translucent or even transparent. 
Very brittle. If it contains copper it is usually 
tinged blue or green. It has a glassy or vitreous 
appearance, and is easily melted before the blow¬ 
pipe, and a lead bead or globule is readily obtained. 

Fig. 37. 



SECITON OF STRATA IN CALIFORNIA GULCH, COLORADO, SHOWING PORTION OF 
the carbonate of lead deposits, a, Porphyritic rock, 12 to 100 ft. thick, b, 
Thin bed of white clay, c, Carbonate of lead bed, 1 to 20 ft. thick, d, Oxide 
of iron, 1 to 6 ft. thick, e, e, Limestone. /, Clay slates, g, Quartzites and 
metamorphic rocks resting upon gneiss. 


By using a little bone-ash plastered in a hollow in 
the coal and turning the 0 F upon the lead, after a 
little skillful blowing the lead is absorbed and 
drawn off and a bright silver globule remains, pro¬ 
vided the lead contains silver. This is blow-pipe 
cupelling. 





















112 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

Sulphate of lead often accompanies the carbon¬ 
ate. It somewhat resembles the carbonate, although 
it is of somewhat less hardness, 2.75 to 3, specific 
gravity 6.12 to 6.3. It may be distinguished from 
the carbonate by the fact that it does not effervesce in 
an acid, as the latter always will. Its mineralogical 
name is anglesite. It is composed of lead oxide 73.6 
and sulphuric acid 26.4 in the pure specimens. 

There are many other minerals containing lead, 
but as they do not come properly under the denom¬ 
ination of ores, we omit them. At the same time it 
is well to become somewhat acquainted with them. 
The blow-pipe will always enable the prospector to 
determine the presence of lead. 

Phosphate of Lead. Mineralogically, pyro- 
morphite. Composition, when pure, 89.7 phosphate 
and 10.3 chromate of lead, with arsenate of lead (0 
to 9), phosphate of lime (0.11), and fluoride of cal¬ 
cium. Hardness 3.5 to 4 ; specific gravity, 6.5 to 7 ; 
color, green with modifications. It has a resinous 
lustre and is translucent; contains 78 per cent. lead. 
Heated on charcoal before the blow-pipe a globule 
is formed which takes on a crystalline appearance 
on cooling, leaving a yellow oxide of lead on the 
charcoal. With carbonate of soda in the reducing 
flame it yields a yellow globule. It is soluble in 
nitric acid. 

Chromate of lead is a yellow mineral contain¬ 
ing protoxide of lead 68.15, chromic acid 31.85. 
Hardness 2.5 to 3; specific gravity 5.9 to 6.1. 
Color, various shades of bright hyacinth-red, streak 


LEAD AND TIN. 


113 


(powder) orange-yellow. Lustre, vitreous; trans¬ 
lucent, and sectile. Mineralogical name is crocoite. 

Lead ochre, massicot mineralogically. This 
mineral occurs massive, as a compact earth of a 
sulphury-yellow or reddish-yellow appearance. It 
has a hardness of 2, a specific gravity of 8, and, 
when pure, 9.2. It is composed of oxygen 7.17, 
lead 92.83. Before the blow-pipe it fuses readily to 
a yellow glass, and on charcoal is easily reducible to 
metallic lead. 

There are yet other combinations of lead which 
are not ores. They may always be suspected by 
their weight and be determined by the blow-pipe 
with soda on charcoal. They may be of service in 
indicating the presence of lead in the form and 
quantity of true ores. 

The geology of lead. Almost all the galenas 
and the carbonates contain silver, and some of the 
latter, as in Colorado, contain large quantities of 
silver. The geology of lead is very much the same 
as that of silver. 

These ores are found in veins and lodes, and also 
in flats and beds, and in pockets (Fig. 38). The 
galenas occur in limestones, called the “ galena 
limestones,” a yellowish-gray, hard, compact, 
crystalline rock. The lowest horizon of lead ore in 
workable quantities lies above that of copper. 

“ The limestones and underlying schists are, for 
the most part, in a metamorphic condition, and 
there can be no difficulty, from the presence of 
porphyry above and the quartzites and gneiss 


114 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


below, in recognizing their position,”* as in the 
Cambro-silurian system. It is supposed that the 
largest proportion of silver is contained in the ore 
derived from this geologic horizon. 


Fig. 38. 



Section of Galena limestone showing how the lead occurs in lodes, a , flats, 
b , b , b , and pockets, c, from mere threads to several feet of thickness. 


Where water has had its course, however, the 
condition of a mine and of its veins and beds of ore 
may have been changed. Robert Hunt, as it re- 


Fig. 39. 



gards British mines, says, that the circulation of 
water in the veins is affected by the inclination of 

* B. C. Davies, F. G. S. A Treatise on Metalliferous Min¬ 
erals, London, 1892, p. 259. 





































LEAD AND TIN. 


115 


the strata in the direction of the vein. The richest 
deposits are found in that portion of strata which is 
the most elevated, for instance, on the side of a 
powerful cross vein, thus : 

The circulation of water is dependent upon an 
outlet at a lower level. 

In the case of lead mines, it is stated that in con¬ 
sequence of the conditions connected with the 
descent of water, the richest deposits of lead are 
generally found at no great distance from the out¬ 
cropping of the containing rock. Veins which run 
on the sides of a mountain in a direction nearly 
parallel with the valleys contain more extensive 
deposits of lead than those which cross the valleys 
at right angles.* 


Fig. 40. 



Skction of a Lead Deposit in a Fissure in the Limestone. Williams & 
Co.’s Mine, Wisconsin. B, B, B, B, limestone. A, the fissure running down. 
C, C, C, C, masses of ore. Metamorphic. 


The prospector should keep this suggestion in 
mind. 

* British Mining, by Robert Hunt, London, 1884, p. 344. 






















116 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

The lead ores are found in the fissures where they 
seem to have been deposited by waters which have 
dissolved them out from neighboring beds (Fig. 40). 

Tin. The usual ore of tin is the oxide (binoxide), 
whose typical composition is tin 78.38, oxygen 
21.62, hardness 6 to 7, specific gravity 6.8 to 7. It 
is, as a mineral, called cassiterite , and contains small 
quantities of iron, copper, manganese, tungsten, 
tantalic acid, arsenic, sometimes silica, and rarely 
lime. It occurs massive and in crystals, also in 
botryoidal and reniform shapes, concentric in struc¬ 
ture and radiated fibrous, internally, and is then, in 
the last form, called “wood tin,” from its woody ap¬ 
pearance. Toad's-eye tin is the last described, but in 
very small shot-like grains, and stream tin is the 
same only in form of sand, found near or in streams. 

Tin ore (binoxide) is nearly as hard as quartz, 
and will scratch glass, especially if freshly broken. 
Pure crystals are rare. They are nearly transparent, 
but in the mass, as it occurs in the mines in Dakota 
and in many other places, the ore is a dark brown 
color and sometimes almost black; the fine powder 
or streak as made by a file, is light brown, however 
dark the mineral may be. The brown color or 
shade is due to oxide of iron in composition; if 
perfectly free from all associated impurities it would 
be nearly white or colorless. The usual appearance 
in mass or pebbles or finer, is that of a dirty or 
burned-brown color with varying depths of shade. 

In the pebble form it is apt to wear quite smooth, 
due to its extreme hardness, 


LEAD AND TIN. 


117 


It was in this form that it was discovered in 
Banca, in 1710, and in the neighboring island, 
Billiton, and traced to its source in the mountains, 
where the central rock is granite, covered by quartz¬ 
ites, altered sandstones, and slaty rocks. The 
altered sandstone just above the granite is the most 
productive rock, and it is traversed in all directions 
with tourmaline.* The same general associations 
largely exist in Wyoming and Dakota tin mines. 

There is another mineral containing tin which 
may lead to the discovery of the true ore. It re¬ 
quires only a short description which we give. 

Tin pyrites {sulphide of tin) whose composition is, 
as a mineral, 29 to 30 sulphur, 25 to 31 tin, 29 to 
30 copper, with iron and sometimes zinc. It has 
been dug as an ore of copper and called “ bell metal.” 
Its hardness is 4, specific gravity 4.3 to 4.5 ; has a 
metallic lustre; color, steel-gray to black, often 
yellowish from the presence of copper sulphide; it 
is opaque and brittle. 

With nitric acid it affords a blue solution, and 
sulphur and tin oxide separate and may be tested 
on charcoal, where it fuses to a globule, which, in 
the oxidizing flame, gives off sulphur and coats the 
coal with white oxide of tin. 

This ore or mineral, for it does not as yet deserve 
the name of tin ore, is of little use, but the pros¬ 
pector does well to make himself acquainted with it, 
as it is frequently associated with the binoxide or 

*D. C. Davies, F. G. S. Metalliferous Minerals, London, 
1892, p. 184. 


118 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

cassiterite, or black oxide, as the true ore is fre¬ 
quently called. 

This last form is that in which the tin ores of 
South Dakota are invariably found. The gangue 
matter varies as do the minerals associated, but the 
general geologic conditions are largely the same 
throughout many miles of country. Although the 
Hearney Peak Mines are the chief centres of the tin 
developments, the whole country around for many 
miles seems to hold out promise of the same general 
metallic deposits, and particularly of the black 
oxide. 

The tin veins are gold-bearing, and it is supposed* 
that the gold is carried in the pyrite which some¬ 
times accompanies the cassiterite. 

It is peculiar that in the granites, when they con¬ 
tain mainly mica and quartz, or mica and albite 
(soda-feldspar), tin is usually present, but when all 
the elements of the granite are present the tin is ab¬ 
sent. If the vein consists of feldspar alone the tin 
is absent, but when it is composed of quartz alone, 
as is frequently the case, the quartz is always banded 
as in a fissure vein, and is usually tin-bearing, but 
the tin-stone is of a reddish-brown. 

Another peculiarity is found in the large quan¬ 
tities of the phosphate minerals found in these re¬ 
gions. Of other minerals, columbite occurs in 
masses of many pounds’ weight. Tantalite has 
also been found in the Etta Mine. Also, uranium 

* Mineral Resources of the U. S., 1888. Washington, D. 
C., 1890, pp. 148, 150. 


LEAD AND TIN. 


119 


is reported as found in some of the veins. Albite is 
everywhere the predominating feldspar. 

From what has been said it is plain that tin oxide 
occurs in the earliest rocks, and even in the granites. 
It is also to be found in streams or near them, 
but derived from the rock to which it may be traced. 
It may be found in lodes, or in the drift and 
alluvial to which it has come from the mountain 
sources. It is also associated with a large variety of 
minerals, but not always the same in different 
regions. These minerals are characteristic of the 
tin regions and formations. 

It is evident that a most important aid to the 
prospector is a study of the characteristics of the tin¬ 
stone ores, and he may find it beneficial to become 
acquainted with the special minerals above men¬ 
tioned as associated with the ores. 

These minerals include, in some mines, wolframite, 
which gives trouble in the Cornwall and other tin 
mines, and the following description and tests may 
aid in detecting it: 

Wolframite is in hardness 5-5.5, specific gravity 
7.1-7.55, therefore, in these features it resembles the 
tin oxide; though somewhat softer, yet the specific 
gravity is practically the same, although really 
heavier. So in color it frequently closely resembles 
tin oxide. But in the streak (or scratch powder), 
wolframite is a dark reddish-brown to black, while 
the tin oxide gives a white or grayish-brown 
powder: wolframite is opaque, while the tin oxide 
is translucent and sometimes transparent on the 


120 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

edges; when mixed with iron or manganese rarely, 
it looks almost opaque. Composition of wolframite : 
tungstic acid about 75, the remainder protoxide of 
iron and manganese protoxide, more of the latter 
than of the former. 

One other mineral present in the Hearney Mines 
is a brown garnet, and inasmuch as the small stream 
tin has to the inexperienced the same general form 
and color, the two distinct substances are allowed 
to remain together even in sampling. But while 
the garnets are of about the same hardness as the 
tin oxide they are much lighter, and may he easily 
separated by “ panning,” the moving water in the 
pan throwing the garnets away from the edge of the 
water, and the heavier grains of tin oxide remaining 
behind. Where the garnet is somewhat massive it 
may, with a little observation, be readily distin¬ 
guished and separated.* 

Phosphate of lime, i. e., apatite, is found in 
European as in American mines. Hardness 5 or 
4.5, specific gravity 2.9-3.2, and hence not so hard 
as quartz (7.), hut slightly heavier. Color, a dull 
sea-green or bluish-green, sometimes nearly white, 
rarely yellow, gray, reddish, or brown. But the 
streak is always white. 

Before the blow-pipe alone it fuses on the edges 
with difficulty, but it colors the flame a reddish- 
yellow. If it be moistened with sulphuric acid and 
heated again, it colors the flame a pale bluish-green 
(a sign of phosphoric acid). 


* U. S. Geolog. Survey. Min. Res. of U. S., 1888, p. 156. 


LEAD AND TIN. 


121 


It dissolves in muriatic and nitric acids, and 
gives, with sulphuric acid, a heavy precipitate (sul¬ 
phate of lime). A diluted nitric acid solution gives, 
with acetate of lead, a white precipitate (lead phos¬ 
phate), which, on charcoal, melts into a globule 
which shows crystalline facets on cooling. 

The home of the tin deposits is, geologically, in 
the granites, as we have said, but they are of a 
peculiar type, from whose composition feldspar is 
largely absent and mica largely present. They 
underlie the oldest sedimentary rocks belonging, 
evidentally, to the Laurentian Series, if not to an 
earlier primitive group.* 

In Dakota it is stated f that granite in the form 
of bosses and (nearer to the Hearney Peak range) in 
long dikes is common. But at the Etta, and in its 
vicinity, the granitic masses are columnar rather 
than tabular in form. The line of demarcation be¬ 
tween the granitic mass and the slates is sharp and 
distinct. There is a clay selvage in contact, making 
a distinct wall as in regular veins. In the Etta 
mine, as in other similarly formed granitic masses 
of the region, the composition is characterized by 
extremely coarse, massive crystallizations of the 
constituent minerals. 

The cassiterite of the Black Hills is very pure, 
ranging from 92.80 to 97.50 of tin oxide. 

Recently, “ tin ore ” has been reported discovered 

*D. C. Davies. Treat, on Met. Min., Lond., 1892, p. 208. 
f Trans. Amer. Inst, of Mining Engineers, vol. 13, 1884- 
1885, pp. 691-696. 


122 prospector’s field-book AND GUIDE. 

on the western slope of the Blue Ridge, a few miles 
north of Ashby’s Gap, about sixty miles southwest 
of Washington.* Also, large deposits are reported 
from the region of San Diego, Southern California. 


*N. Y. Tribune, Feb. 1'4, 1891. 


CHAPTER IX. 


ZINC-IRON. 

Zinc. The chief ores of zinc are :— 

Zinc Carbonate. Mineralogical name Smithson - 
ite, composition, zinc 51.44, oxygen 13.10, carbonic 
acid 35.46. But the composition in the mines 
varies because of the presence of protoxide of iron, 
manganese, and magnesia. Color, when pure, 
nearly white, through various shades of yellow and 
gray to brown. Hardness 5, specific gravity 4-4.4. 

It is easily detected by the blow-pipe, as it gives a 
green color when heated after being moistened with 
half a drop of nitrate of cobalt solution. On char¬ 
coal, with soda, it coats the coal with a white film, 
which is yellow when hot and white on cooling, but 
if moistened with the cobalt solution and heated in 
the 0 F it turns green. With muriatic acid it 
effervesces and dissolves. In mass it is translucent 
and brittle. 

Zinc Silicate. Mineralogical name, calamine; 
composition, zinc oxide 67.5, silica 25, water 7.5. 
Hardness 4.5-5, the latter when crystallized (Dana), 
gravity 3.16-3.9. Color and streak the same as in 
Smithsonite. Acts before the blow-pipe as does 
Smithsonite, but does not effervesce with acids, and 
gelatinizes; it is soluble in a strong solution of potash. 

(123) 


124 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Red oxide of zinc, mineralogical name is zincite 
(pron. zinkite), and its composition is zinc 80, 
oxygen 20, varied by the presence of 3 to 12 parts 
of peroxide of manganese, which gives the red color, 
for zinc oxide, pure, is white. This ore is peculiar 
to one region in New Jersey, Franklin, Sussex Co. 
Hardness 4-4.5, specific gravity 5.4-5.7 ; color, red 
and yellowish-red, streak the same; translucent, 
brittle. 

Sulphide of zinc, mineralogical name sphalerite 
or blende, miners’ name black-jack. Composition, 
zinc 66.8, sulphur 33.2, but varied in the mines by 
iron, and sometimes cadmium. Color varies from 
yellow to brown and almost black, having a waxy 
look. Hardness 3.5 to 4, specific gravity 3.9 to 4.2 ; 
brittle, translucent. 

The geology of zinc and of lead are so nearly 
alike that what has been said of the latter will apply 
to the former. (Fig 41.) 

In New Jersey a section of strata near Sparta 
shows slaty rock with feldspathic dykes, then lime¬ 
stone adjoining the Franklinite iron ore with zinc 
20 to 30 feet feet wide, then the red oxide of zinc 3 
to 9 feet wide, then crystalline limestone, and next 
feldspathic rock (Fig. 41). 

Enormous and extensive deposits of the sulphide 
are reported as occurring in Colorado, at George¬ 
town and Mount Lincoln, and in Montana, near 
Jefferson City. 

The author has recently received a letter stating 
that some blende sent him came from a “ group of 


ZINC-IRON. 


125 


mines near Cotopaxi, Colorado ; where a vein of zinc 
blende exists in granite rock ; the blende is 15 feet 
thick, no rock with it, and only a trace of lead, 
some copper pyrites, also a trace of cadmium ; about 
8 per cent, of iron and about 7 ounces of silver [to 


Fig. 41. 



Section op strata near Sparta, New Jersey zinc mines. 
a, Slaty rock with feldspathic dykes, b, b, Limestone, c, Franklinite iron 
ore with zinc 20 to 30 ft. wide, d, Red oxide of zinc 3 to 9 ft. wide, e, e, Crys¬ 
talline limestone. /, Feldspathic rock. 

the ton] is contained in the crude ore. I have 
mined and sold from 20 to 30 tons daily on orders.” 

From more recent examinations made by Mr. E. 
H. Saltiel, and reported to the author last June 
(1891), the fissures or “ chimneys ” of ore are in a 
metamorphic granite country rock. The vein 
matter penetrates granite, garnet rock, mica schist, 
and several varieties of the hornblendic series of 
rocks, principally pyroxene. The latter show a 
strong “ peppering ” of galena with silver and 
chalcopyrite. Then come the enormous bodies of 
zinc blende mixed with chalcopyrite and some iron 
pyrite. Following and lying parallel to the zinc 
blende is pyroxene of about 22 feet thickness, and 







126 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


garnet rock permeated with silver-bearing galena 
and chalcopyrite, with a small per cent, of zinc 
blende. These descriptions apply to Hinsdale, 
Lake, and Clear Creek counties, Colorado. 

The blow-pipe shows the same tests for zinc as 
have previously been mentioned. The fumes of 
sulphurous acid may be easily noticed when the 
mineral is placed in an open tube of glass (a test 
tube with a small hole in the bottom will be suffi¬ 
cient), and strongly heated. 

Iron. Native iron is not found in nature, but 
occurs with a small percentage of nickel in meteor¬ 
ites. It resembles ordinary iron, is malleable and 
attracted by a magnet. Specific gravity 7.0 to 7.8. 

The chief ores of iron are magnetite, hematite 
(red and brown), and black band. 

Magnetite is composed of iron 72.4 and oxygen 
27.6. This ore is always easily attracted by the 
magnet, and sometimes is found capable of attract¬ 
ing iron, and then is called “ polaric ” or “load¬ 
stone.” 

Hardness 5.5 to 6.5, specific gravity 5 to 5.1. 
Color, nearly black ; streak black. In powder or 
small grains it is always attractable by a magnetized 
knife-blade. 

Nitric acid does not act upon it, but muriatic 
acid dissolves it when in very fine powder, and 
under long-continued heat. 

Iron exists in magnetite as protoxide and per¬ 
oxide or FeO and Fe 2 0 3 , and upon this difference 
of oxides is based the action of important tests. 


ZINC-IRON. 


127 


Franiclinite is an ore somewhat resembling 
magnetite in color, hardness, and specific gravity, 
but it contains manganese and zinc, and as an ore, 
is peculiar to Sussex Co., New Jersey. Its streak is 
dark brown, and its action on the magnet is feebler 
than in the case of magnetite. The iron is said to 
be of the composition of peroxide, or Fe 2 0 3 , but it 
is probably in part protoxide, and this is the cause 
of its feeble effect on the magnet. 

It is easily detected under the blowpipe. Alone, 
it is infusible, but with borax in the 0 F it colors 
the borax bead with the amethystine color of man¬ 
ganese, and in the R F it shows the bottle-green of 
iron. On charcoal with soda it gives the bluish- 
green manganate, and also the coating of zinc, es¬ 
pecially if the soda is mixed with borax. It is 
soluble in fine powder in muriatic acid. 

Specular ore is the peroxide of iron without the 
protoxide. This oxide is also called the sesqui- 
oxide, or one and a half oxides, since iron combines 
with oxygen in the proportion of one to one and a 
half parts, or Fe 2 0 3 , and this is the highest propor¬ 
tion of oxygen the iron will combine with, and 
hence it is the peroxide, the peroxide and sesqui- 
oxide being the same in this case. 

Specular ore is called red hematite from its 
color, which in some masses is so intensely red as to 
appear nearly black, but it may always be distin¬ 
guished from magnetite by its red streak, and the 
blacker the ore the more decided is the red of its 
powder or streak. It is never magnetic. We have 


128 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


always found that in cases where specular ore 
showed any magnetic attraction, it was due to the 
fact that the ore contained some protoxide of iron. 


Fig. 42. 



Geologic horizons around the iron ores of Lake Superior. 

a. Gneiss, b, Hornblende slates, c, The same with numerous thin beds of 
iron ore which frequently unite, cl, Potsdam sandstone. 

Hardness 5.5, specific gravity 4.5 to 5.3, composi¬ 
tion, 70 per cent, iron, 30 per cent, oxygen. Color, 
reddish to almost black. 

Brown Iron Ore or Brown Hematite or 
Limonite. This is the same in composition as red 
hematite, except that it has less iron and contains 
water in chemical combination, generally about 14 
per cent. Color always brown. When heated red- 
hot it loses its water and turns to a bright-red, 
unless largely mixed with alumina and silex, when 
the red color is shaded. It is is not magnetic unless 







ZINC—IRON. 


129 


heated with soda under the blow-pipe, when it be¬ 
comes metallic, as all iron ores do. 

The amount of metallic iron in a pure specimen 
is 59 per cent., sometimes decreased by presence of 
alumina, silica, magnesia, and other impurities, so 
that its average in many good mines is only about 
35 to 36 per cent, iron. 

Spathic Iron Ore or Siderite is an iron car¬ 
bonate, composed of iron protoxide 62 per cent, and 
carbonic acid, or 48 per cent, pure iron, but 
frequentty composed of manganese. Hardness 3.5 
to 4.5, gravity 3.7-3.9, streak white. Color gray or 
cream color, unless weathered, when it is brownish. 

When in powder it effervesces with muriatic 
acid, especially when hot. Translucent on edges, 
and thin plates or splinters. 

With the blow-pipe in a closed tube (test tube) it 
decrepitates, becomes blackened, and gives off car¬ 
bonic acid. Before the blow-pipe alone, held by 
forceps, it blackens and fuses. In the test tube with 
muriatic acid it may be tested for carbonic acid, by 
letting a lighted thread down into the tube, when 
the flame is instantly extinguished. The solution 
in the tube may be tested for iron by dropping a 
drop of solution of ferricyanide of potassium into 
the muriatic acid solution, when it becomes in¬ 
stantly a deep blue. This is a test of protoxide of 
iron, spathic ore being iron in the condition of prot¬ 
oxide only. 

Black band ore is an argillaceous spathic ore of 
various dark colors, being largely combined with 
9 


130 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

carbonaceous material. It is found extensively in 
Great Britain, near the summit of the coal measures. 
In our country the black band ores are also associated 
with the coal measures, both in the anthracite and 
bituminous regions. 

Chromic Iron or Chromite, generally with 49.90 
to 60.04 per cent, of chromic oxide, 18.42 to 35.68 
per cent, of ferrous oxide, 10 to 12 per cent, alumina, 
5.36 to 15 per cent, magnesia, and 4 to 6 per cent, 
silica, occurs usually massive, mixed with other iron 
ores or in serpentine. It is an iron-black to brownish- 
black color and a faintly metallic lustre. Streak or 
powder, dark-brown. Fracture, irregular ; specific 
gravity, 4.4 to 4.6 ; hardness 5.5, is not scratched by 
a knife. With borax bead it gives the characteristic 
indications of chromium. It is largely used in the 
preparation of chromium colors. 

The following iron ores are not used for the mak¬ 
ing of iron and steel, but may nevertheless prove of 
value. 

Iron Pyrites, usually in cubes and allied forms, 
sides often marked by fine parallel lines. Occurs 
also massive and contains 46.7 per cent, of iron and 
53.3 per cent, of sulphur. Color, brass yellow; 
lustre, metallic; streak, brownish-black; fracture 
irregular; specific gravity 4.8 to 5.1; hardness 6 to 
6.5; cannot be scratched, with a knife, but is 
scratched by quartz, and scratches glass with great 
facility. Before the blow-pipe it burns with a blue 
flame, giving off an odor of sulphur, and ultimately 
fuses into a black magnetic globule. It is found in 


ZINC—IRON. 


131 


great abundance, and is used as a source of sulphur. 
It is easily distinguished from copper pyrites by its 
hardness, the latter being readily cut with a knife. 
From gold it is distinguished by its hardness and 
in not being malleable, and in giving off sulphur¬ 
ous odors in the blow-pipe flame. 

Arsenical Pyrites or Mispickel contains 34.4 per 
cent, of iron, 19.6 per cent, of arsenic, and 46.0 per 
cent, of sulphur. It occurs in flattened prisms and 
also massive. Color, white ; lustre, metallic ; streak, 
gray ; fracture,-uneven; specific gravity 6.0 to 6.3 ; 
hardness 5.5 ; cannot be scratched with a knife, but 
is scratched by quartz. Heated before the blow¬ 
pipe it gives off white arsenical fumes of a garlic 
odor, and finally fuses into a black globule. It is 
abundant in mining districts, and sometimes is 
auriferous. With the improved processes now in 
use, it is possible to extract the gold profitably, and 
hence mispickel pres should be examined for gold. 

The geology of the iron ores varies and may be 
divided into that of the magnetities, which are 
always derived from the granites, gneiss, schist 
rocks, clay slates, and rarely, the metamorphic lime¬ 
stones. 

The red hematites seem to be only an alteration 
derived from the magnetites, and belong to the same 
more ancient rocks. 

The brown hematites (limonites) are derived, from 
both the former and are generally sedimentary. 

Very frequently in extensive magnetite regions, 
where the country back is mountainous, the brown 


132 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

ore has been formed in basins and knees and inter¬ 
locked portions of the lower country, where ages of 
rains, storms and freshets, have gradually trans¬ 
ported and altered the magnetic ores of the upper 
regions and brought down these iron oxides to the 
lands, where they have been arrested and settled 
down in beds of brown hematite. This seems to 
have been the history of all the hematitic limonite 
beds and deposits; they are on the lower levels 
where they were formed, although in after ages they 
may have been uplifted. 

Iron ores are, therefore, to be found in three gen¬ 
eral geologic regions: (1) in the earliest rocks; (2) 
in the carboniferous, and (3) in the more recent or 
sedimentary rocks, and in accordance with their 


Fig. 43. 



Section of Pilot Knob, Missouri. 

«, Quartzite or siliceous rock, b, Red hematite iron ore alternating with 
siliceous matter, c, Siliceous rocks. 


compositions as magnetites and specular ores, as 
carbonaceous or black band and spathic ores, or as 
brown ores of the limonite order. 




ZINC-IRON. 


133 


One of the most peculiar geologic conditions is 
found in the Pilot Knob Mountain, wherein the 
iron strata have been thrown up as in Fig. 43. 


THE USE OF THE MAGNETIC NEEDLE IN PROSPECTING 
FOR IRON. 

In ordinary cases, where the surface is covered 
with loose earth, it is common to search for mag¬ 
netic iron ore with a magnetic needle or a miner’s 
compass, and for preliminary examinations it is now 
the chief reliance. In using this instrument con¬ 
siderable practice is required; but this joined to 
good judgment gives indications of the presence of 
ore which are almost infallible. There has been 
very great improvement, within a few years past, in 
the methods of searching for magnetic ore as well 
as in the instruments to be used for that purpose, 
and the work is now well done by many persons. 

In the Annual Report of the State Geologist of 
New Jersey for 1879, W. H. Scranton, M. E., makes 
a report, accompanied by a map, upon a magnetic 
survey made at Oxford, Warren Co., New Jersey, to 
determine the location of a vein, and the proper 
places to sink shafts. Mr. Scranton finds Gurley’s 
Norwegian compass the best, though the slowest to 
work with. He sums up the indications from the 
magnetic needle in searching for ore, as it usually 
occurs in New Jersey, as follows: 

“An attraction which is confined to a very small 
spot and is lost in passing a few feet from it, is most 


134 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

likely to be caused by a boulder of ore or particles 
of magnetite in the rock. 

“ An attraction which continues on steadily in the 
direction of the strike of the rock for a distance of 
many feet or rods, indicates a vein of ore; and if it 
is positive and strongest towards the southwest, it is 
reasonable to conclude that the vein begins with the 
attraction there. If the attraction diminishes in 
going northeast, and finally dies out without becom¬ 
ing negative, it indicates that the vein has con¬ 
tinued on without break or ending until too far off 
to move the compass needle. If, on passing towards 
the northeast, along the line of attraction, the south 
pole is drawn down, it indicates the end of the vein 
or an offset. If, on continuing further still in the 
same direction, positive attraction is found, it shows 
that the vein is not ended; but if no attraction is 
shown, there is no indication as to the further con¬ 
tinuance of the ore. 

“ In crossing veins of ore from southeast to north¬ 
west, when the dip of the rock and ore is as usual to 
the southeast, positive attraction is first observed to 
come on gradually, as the ore is nearer and nearer 
to the surface, and the northwest edge of the vein is 
indicated by the needle suddenly showing negative 
attraction just at the point of passing off it. This 
change of attraction will be less marked as the 
depth of the vein is greater, or as the strike is nearer 
north and south. The steadiness and continuance 
of the attraction is a much better indication of ore 
than the strength or amount of attraction is. The 


ZINC-IRON. 


135 


ore may vary in its susceptibility to the magnetic 
influence from impurities in its substance; it does 
vary according to the position in which it lies— 
that is, according to its dip and strike; and it also 
varies very much according to its distance beneath 
the surface. 

“ Method of Using the Compass in Searching for Ore. 
—It is sufficient to say that the first examinations 
are made by passing over the ground with the com¬ 
pass in a northwest and southeast direction, at in¬ 
tervals of a few rods, until indications of ore are 
found. Then the ground should be examined more 
carefully by crossing the line of attraction at inter¬ 
vals of a few feet, and marking the points upon 
which observations have been made, and recording 
the amount of attraction. Observations with the 
ordinary compass should be made and the varia¬ 
tion of the horizontal needle be noted. In this 
way materials may soon be accumulated for staking 
out the line of attraction, or for constructing a map 
for study and reference. 

“ After sufficient exploration with the magnetic 
needle, it still remains to prove the value of the vein 
by uncovering the ore, examining its quality, meas¬ 
uring the size of the vein, and estimating the cost of 
mining and marketing it. Uncovering should first 
be done in trenches dug across the line of attraction, 
and carried quite down to the rock. When the ore 
is in this way proved to be of value, regular mining 
operations may begin. 

“In places where there are offsets in the ore, or 


136 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

where it has been subject to bends, folds, or other 
irregularities, so that the miner is at fault in what 
direction to proceed, explorations may be made with 
the diamond drill.” 


CHAPTER X. 


Mercury, Bismuth, Nickel, Cobalt and Cadmium. 

Mercury or Quicksilver. Native mercury is 
rarely found. It occurs disseminated in liquid 
globules through sandstone and other rocks, in 
cavities of which it may accumulate. It is bright, 
white, and of specific gravity 13.6 at 32°F. How¬ 
ever, the principal sources of quicksilver are the 
following: 

Cinnabar, or sulphide of mercury, found massive, 
of a granular texture, reddish color, and scarlet-red 
streak. Composition : mercury 86.2, sulphur 13.8, 
when pure. It is the most valuable ore of mercury. 

Hardness 2 to 2.5, specific gravity 8.99, sectile. 
Before the blow-pipe on charcoal it is volatile if 
pure, gives sulphurous flames if heated in an open 
tube, and mercury condenses on the sides of the 
tube, so that it may easily be seen with a lens or 
even the naked eye. 

Native amalgam. This is a mixture of silver and 
mercury, and when pure, contains from 64 to 72 
per cent, mercury. Color, silver-white; hardness 
3-3.5, specific gravity 10.5-14. On charcoal before 
the blow-pipe, the quicksilver evaporates and the 
silver remains. 

In California the ore, cinnabar, is in alternate 
(137) 


138 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


beds of clayey shale and layers of flinty rock. The 
ore is found on a range from the summit of the 
lower Cambrian rocks to the base of the Cambro- 
silurian strata, and it occurs in the midst of erup¬ 
tive and metamorphic rocks, being mostly associated 
with greenstone and porphyry, and the ores are 
frequently accompanied by bituminous matter.* 

Bismuth. This metal occurs native, of a reddish 
silver-white color. Brittle when cold ; hardness 2- 
2.5, specific gravity 9.7. Sectile when heated. It 
carries, sometimes, traces of arsenic, sulphur, 
tellurium, and iron. On charcoal before the blow¬ 
pipe, it fuses and entirely volatilizes, leaving a coat¬ 
ing which is orange-yellow while hot and lemon- 
yellow on cooling (this is the trioxide of bismuth). 
It dissolves in nitric acid, but subsequent dilution 
causes a white precipitate. 

Very little bismuth has been found in our coun¬ 
try. The metal occurs on the Continent of Europe, 
associated with silver and cobalt, also with copper 
ores. Although there is but little call for it in the 
arts, a deposit or lode of bismuth would be valuable. 

Where it has been found in the United States it 
has been associated with wolfram (tungstate of iron 
and manganese), also with tungstate of lime, w T ith 
galena and zinc blende in quartz. 

Its geology is the same as that of copper; it 
occurs in veins, in gneiss, and other crystalline 
rocks. 


*B, C, Davies’ Met, Min., Lond., 1881, p. 284. 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 139 

Nickel. It does not occur native, except in 
meteorites. 

Under the blow-pipe, nickel requires care and 
some practice. On charcoal, with soda in the inner 
flame, it gives a gray metallic powder, attractable 
by the magnet. In the borax bead in the outer 
flame it gives a hyacinth-red to violet-brown while 
hot, a yellowish or yellow-red when cold. In the 
reducing or inner flame, a gray appearance is given. 
These appearances are modified by the impurities 
of the mineral and the amount of nickel in the 
mineral. The wet process is the only method of 
determining the true value of the nickel-bearing 
mineral. 

Its chief ores are : 

Smaltite, which is a combination of cobalt, iron 
and nickel, and arsenic in varying proportions. 

Before the blow-pipe in the closed tube, it gives 
off arsenic as a metallic sublimate on the sides of 
the glass. In the open tube it gives off white sub¬ 
limate of arsenious acid. 

On charcoal it gives an arsenical odor and fuses 
to a globule, which, under successive heatings with 
borax, gives the reactions for iron, cobalt, and 
nickel (page 151). 

Hardness of the ore 5.5-0, specific gravity 6.4- 
7.2, metallic lustre; color, tin-white, sometimes a 
little tarnished; streak, grayish-black ; brittle. 

Nickel arsenide, u copper nickel ,” mineralogical 
name, nicolite. Composition : nickel 44.1 ; arsenic 
55 t 9, It looks somewhat like pale copper, but con- 


140 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


tains no copper. Hardness 5-5.5, specific gravity 
6.67-7.33 ; streak, pale brownish to black ; brittle. 
It frequently contains a little iron, and sometimes a 
trace of antimony, lead, and cobalt. 

If carefully treated under the blow-pipe with 
borax, it will show the iron, if present, in the bead, 
and the cobalt and nickel by successive oxidizations 
(page 151). But the nickel requires especial treat¬ 
ment, the detection of which we shall speak of in 
this chapter. 

There is another mineral, not properly an ore, 
called 

Emerald-nickel, a carbonate of nickel, contain¬ 
ing 28.6 water when pure. It forms incrustations 
on other minerals, like another called millerite. 

Millerite, a sulphide of nickel forming tufts of 
very fine acicular, brassy looking crystals, in cav¬ 
ities of the red hematite of Sterling Iron Mines in 
Northern New York, and velvety incrustations on 
ores in Lancaster Co., Penna., where nickel is found 
and worked. In the former place no nickel 
abounds, but in the latter it has been found in pay¬ 
ing quantities. But the sulphide forms at the 
latter place vary very much, as examined under the 
microscope, from the acicular crystals found in the 
ores at Sterling, N. Y., and yet they are the same 
chemical combination. The ore upon which the 
tufts of velvety covering are found at the Gap 
Mine, Lancaster Co., Penn., is pyrrhotite or sulphide 
of iron, holding 4 to 5.9 per cent, nickel in com¬ 
position ; that of Sterling, N. Y., is the red hematite. 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 141 

The recently discovered sources of nickel in Suci- 
bury, Canada, north of Georgian Bay, yield nickel 
in pyrrhotite (sulphide of iron), and apparently also 
in chalcopyrite , whose typical composition is copper 
34.6, iron 30.5, sulphur 34.9. It is a mineral of 
brass-yellow appearance, and one which furnishes 
the copper of commerce at the Cornwall Mines and 
at the copper beds in Fahlun, Sweden. In the 
latter place it is imbedded, as it appears to be in the 
region of the Sudbury Mines, only that the Sudbury 
ore is imbedded in pyrrhotite and the Swedish in 
gneiss. 

The chalcopyrite does not mix intimately with 
the nickel ore so as to form a homogeneous mass, 
out occurs by itself in pockets or threads, etc., but 
inclosed with massive pyrrhotite, which, while it 
may have more than 30 per cent, of nickel present, 
does not show any signs of the changed composition.* 
This per cent, is far above the average of nickel in 
the pyrrhotite, which seldom carries less than 2J 
per cent, or more than 9 per cent, of nickel. 

The following new ores of nickel are reported by 
Dr. Emmons from Sudbury, Canada : 

Foleyrite of a bronze-yellow color, grayish-black 
streak, and metallic lustre. It occurrs massive and 
contains 32.87 per cent, of nickel. Its specific 
gravity is 4.73, hardness 3.5. 

Whartonite contains 6.10 per cent, of nickel. It 
has a pale bronze-yellow color, black streak and 

*Dr. E. B. Peters, Manager of the Canada Copper 
Company. 


142 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


metallic lustre. Specific gravity about 3.73 ; hard¬ 
ness about 4. 

Jack’s Tin or Blueite contains 3.5 per cent, of 
nickel. It is of an olive-gray to bronze color, 
metallic lustre and black streak. Specific gravity 
4.2; hardness 3 to 3.5. 

ANALYSIS OF ORES FOR NICKEL AND COBALT. 

As this analysis requires care, we give the follow¬ 
ing method in full: 

1. Reduce finely 50 grains of the ore. Put it in 
a dry beaker-glass and pour a mixture of one part 
sulphuric acid with three parts nitric acid, both 
pure and concentrated, or 40 to 50 c.c. to 2 grams, 
of ore. 

2. Heat the covered beaker on a sand-bath to 
near 212° Fah. for two hours. Then partly un¬ 
cover and evaporate the nitric acid entirely. 

3. Cool and add 100 or more c.c. of water and 
let it stand for four hours; the insoluble residue is 
lead sulphate, silex, etc. 

4. Filter off the soluble part and place the moist 
lead sulphate in a beaker and dissolve it by first 
pouring in ammonia (20-25 c.c.), and next acetic 
acid till it is decidedly acid. The sulphate now 
dissolves if kept warm for some twenty minutes. 
Filter and wash, and if any residue remains (silex, 
etc.), reserve for future examination. 

5. The lead is now separate, but if the amount 
is sought, pass a current of hydrogen sulphide 
through the solution till the lead is entirely pre- 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 143 

cipitated. Filter, dry, place the residue in a porce¬ 
lain crucible and heat to a low red heat, passing a 
current of dry hydrogen into the crucible while 
heating to prevent any oxidizing of the sulphide. 
When the crucible and contents remain the same 
in weight, the last weight of the lead sulphide is the 
correct amount. Of this weight, 86.61 parts in 100 
are lead, 13.39 are sulphur. 

If the ore has no lead in it, the above work is 
omitted entirely. The likelihood of lead may be 
tested qualitatively from a small quantity dissolved, 
precipitated by hydrogen sulphide, and the precipi¬ 
tate determined by the blow-pipe on charcoal giving 
the lead coating, and with soda the metallic globule. 

6. To Separate the Copper. The filtrate re¬ 
maining after the insoluble lead sulphate was 
filtered off, as in No. 4, now contains whatever the 
mineral is composed of, copper, iron, nickel, cobalt, 
etc. Dilute the filtrate to about 500 c.c., heat to 
nearly boiling, and pass hydrogen sulphide through 
it, and thus precipitate all the copper after adding 
1 or 2 c.c. of hydrochloric acid. Filter, wash, dry, 
and ignite the precipitate in an atmosphere of 
hydrogen. The result will be pure Cu 2 S, from 
which the copper may be ascertained as 79.85 parts 
of the whole weight of Cu 2 S. 

7. Concentrate by evaporation the filtrate of 
No. 6 remaining after the copper was separated, add 
1 or 2 c.c. of nitric acid, and boil the filtrate 
two or three minutes, let it become nearly cold, add 
an excess of ammonia, and let it stand in a warm 
place half an hour. 


144 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

8. Filter the precipitate into a porcelain dish and 
redissolve the iron oxide (hydroxide) with hydro¬ 
chloric acid poured slowly into the filter, complete 
washing of the filter with hot w T ater, reduce the free 
£icid in the filtrate with ammonia, then very nearly 
neutralize it carefully with sodium (metallic) or 
ammonium carbonate; the solution must remain 
clear, though dark red, if much iron is present. 
Now add a strong neutral solution of ammonium or 
sodium acetate (not in large excess), and then boil 
a short time. When rightly performed the iron 
oxide precipitate will settle rapidly, and the super¬ 
natant liquid will be clear. Wash rapidly with 
boiling water, and, at first, separate the clear part 
by decantation, and then filter. If great exactitude 
is required, redissolve in hydrochloric acid, and once 
more precipitate with the acetate just as before. 
Add this filtrate to the ammoniacal filtrate men- , 
tioned at the beginning of No. 7 paragraph. 

The iron is now separated as basic ferric acetate, 
and it is almost, if not entirely, separated from all 
nickel and cobalt which are yet in solution. 

9. The first filtrate, No. 7, contains all the nickel 
and cobalt. It must now be concentrated to about 
250 c.c. If it is slightly acid, proceed ; if not, then 
add muriatic acid until it is very slightly acid. 
Now heat the filtrate in a beaker to gentle boiling, 
and pass hydrogen sulphide through the liquid. A 
black precipitate follows, if nickel sulphide with 
cobalt sulphide, they are together. 

10. Filter, wash, and dry ; incinerate the filter- 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 145 

paper with the precipitate if very small in quantity, 
otherwise separately; heat in porcelain crucible. 
Dissolve in aqua regia (nitro-muriatic acid), and 
treat it till only yellow sulphur remains, evaporate 
and expose the residue to a heat of 180° Fah. to 
make any silica insoluble. Moisten with a few 
drops of muriatic acid, add 20 c.c. of water to dis¬ 
solve the salts, add some solution of hydrogen sul¬ 
phide to separate any copper or lead which may 
have escaped separation, filter into a porcelain dish 
and concentrate all to about 100 c.c. 

11. Boil gently, and while boiling add pure sod¬ 
ium carbonate solution until the liquid is slightly 
alkaline. Continue boiling a few minutes, add a 
few grains of pure soda solution (sodium hydroxide). 
This is best prepared freshly by dropping a small 
ball of metallic sodium into a half ounce of water 
in a platinum dish or crucible, or, not so well, in a 
porcelain dish. Heat to boiling again a few min¬ 
utes till all the nickel and cobalt are precipitated, 
wash the precipitate with boiling hot water by de¬ 
cantation, and finally on the filter, until a drop on 
polished platinum shows no residue. After drying 
the precipitate remove it to a piece of glazed paper; 
cover with a bell glass. Then incinerate the filter 
till the carbon has entirely disappeared, add it to 
the precipitate already obtained, place all in a cru¬ 
cible, cover it and expose to heat to redness, and, 
finally, if desired, reduce the oxides to the metallic 
condition by ignition under a stream of hydrogen. 

12. As this process of reduction to metal is some- 
10 


146 prospector’s FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 

times very useful, we give a simple plan of appa¬ 
ratus for this purpose. Get a half pint, wide¬ 
mouthed pickle bottle and introduce two glass tubes 
of a quarter inch diameter into a cork fitting the 
mouth, after having nicely adjusted the cork to the 
mouth of the bottle. The tubes may be easily bent 
and blown as in A B , Fig. 44 below, over the flame 
of an alcohol lamp, before permanently fastening 
them in place. To blow a funnel end, heat the 
end of the tube to softness and mash it together, 
hermetically seal, then reheat rapidly, roll it be¬ 
tween finger and thumb while gently blowing at 
the other end until swollen large enough, then, 
with pincers, break it or chip it off; if enlarged 
twice or three times the diameter it is large enough 
for the purpose. The tubes intended to be bent 
should be rapidly rotated in the enlarged flame un¬ 
til red-hot, and then bent to the right angle and 
gradually cooled. 

It is well to make another of these bottles for dry¬ 
ing the hydrogen, as in B. Introduce the tube as 
shown in the figure, wherein B represents the drying 
bottle in which is placed a quantity of fragments of 
chloride of calcium of the size of peas or even 
smaller. In putting the cork with tubes into this 
bottle, the bottle should be on its side and rolled 
while introducing the longer tube into the calcium 
chloride, so that the fragments may not obstruct the 
tube as it is pushed down. The exit tube may he 
bent or straight, and properly sized india-rubber 
tubing may be fitted over the ends so as to make 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 147 

connections. A common clay stem .smoking pipe 
arranged as in the figure, with the bowl inverted 
into the crucible which is placed on a wire support 
on a retort stand, c, is quite sufficient, The usual 
alcohol blast lamp, d, is necessary for this operation. 
To put the apparatus to work it is only necessary to 
introduce some three or four ounces of broken up 
pieces of zinc into A, together with water sufficient 
to half fill the bottle, cork up with the tubes ar¬ 
ranged as above, and pour into the funnel-shaped 


Fig. 44. 



tube common oil of vitriol gradually, until the gas 
begins to come over, then stop as the water becomes 
heated, and the gas will increase without addition. 
You may now'prepare your crucible, and, when in 
place, and the tubes all arranged, the gas may be 
made to come over more rapidly by adding a little 
more oil of vitriol drop by drop. 

13. The crucible should be weighed after cooling 
and replaced, the flame of the blast lamp relighted, 































148 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

and red heat renewed under the hydrogen apparatus 
until the crucible, when again weighed, shows no 
alteration in weight. The oxide now has been re¬ 
duced to the pure metal form, and it may then be 
cooled. 

In the case of the analysis we are now upon, the 
metallic reduction will be that of both nickel and 
cobalt, and they will appear as a dark powder in the 
bottom of the crucible. 

When the hydrogen apparatus is no longer to be 
used, the generator bottle A should be washed 
thoroughly and the zinc also; the latter may be left 
in the bottle and the cork replaced loosely, but the 
cork must be removed from bottle B, and a tight- 
fitting cork be used in its place, as the chloride may 
be used again. All is ready for another operation 
by simply replacing and adding water and acid as 
before. 

14. Separation of Nickel and Cobalt. The 
two metals should be weighed in order that if the 
cobalt be found, the nickel may be known by the 
difference. Dissolve the two metals in nitric acid 
and evaporate them till there is no free nitric acid. 
Next add about 6 to 8 grams. (100 grains), po¬ 
tassium nitrite dissolved in 10 to 15 c.c. of hot 
water. If any flocculent particles appear, add a 
little acetic acid, just sufficient to dissolve them, and 
now a precipitate of cobalt (as tripotassium cobaltic 
nitrite), takes place slowly. The whole volume 
should now be 15 to 20 c.c. Cover the beaker con¬ 
taining it with glass, and set it aside in a warm 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 149 

place for twenty-four hours. Filter, wash with a 
solution of potassium acetate (which may be made 
by neutralizing acetic acid with crystallized potas¬ 
sium bicarbonate, leaving the solution slightly 
acid), and proceed to more efficiently separate the 
cobalt as a metal, as follows:— 

Dilute the filtrate, heat, and precipitate with 
caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), wash the greater 
part of the saline matter out and then dissolve the 
precipitate in nitric acid, evaporate to dryness, add 
two or three drops of nitric acid and dissolve in a 
small volume of water, filter, concentrate the filtrate, 
and repeat the process of separation with potassium 
nitrite as before. Put this precipitate, with the 
filter-paper, into a beaker, add about 100 c.c. of 
water, heat, add muriatic acid to dissolve it, separate 
the filter-paper by filtering it and washing it in a 
funnel, evaporate the solution on a water-bath, and 
let it remain on the water-bath two or three hours 
to render the silica insoluble, then moisten with 
muriatic acid, add water, filter, and convert the co¬ 
balt to metallic form, as was done before for both 
nickel and cobalt, namely, as in paragraph No. 11. 
The cobalt is now entirely separate from the nickel. 
Weigh it, and by difference from the weight of the 
two determine the weight of nickel as suggested in 
No. 14. The amount of nickel is now known by 
weight, and readily compared with the whole 
amount of the original weight of ore employed at 
the beginning. 

If the above process is carefully followed out, in a 


150 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

mineral containing lead, copper, iron, cobalt, and 
nickel, the cobalt and nickel are separated with 
great exactness. 

But the main ore of nickel is pyrrhotite, and, as 
in the Gap Mine, Lancaster Co., Penn., and in the 
Sudbury Mines, Canada, pyrrhotite contains only 
iron and nickel, seldom cobalt enough to notice. 
So that much less work is required, as follows: Pul¬ 
verize, dissolve in muriatic acid in a flask. If 
much free acid is present nearly neutralize with 
sodium or ammonium carbonate; the solution should 
be clear, but, if there is much ferric chloride, it 
should be of a deep red color; now do as directed 
in No. 8, to add the ammonium acetate, and pro¬ 
ceed as before. 

In view of the importance of nickel-steel armor 
plates, prospecting for nickel is a work of unusual 
interest. In addition to the discovery of the nickel 
pyrrhotite in Canada, which we have already no¬ 
ticed, new discoveries have been reported from New 
Caledonia, an island 900 miles east of Australia. 
The ore is a nickel silicate and has been named 
Garnierite, after M. Gamier, its discoverer. It is 
also found in Oregon. It contains from 8 to 10 per 
cent, of nickel, has a green color and yields an un¬ 
colored streak. 

The mines at the Gap, Lancaster Co., Penna., are 
considered nearly, if not quite exhausted, and the 
miners are looking for richer veins of ore. There 
'is now, as may readily be imagined, increased de¬ 
mand for nickel ores. 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 151 

Cobalt.— Cobalt does not occur in native form. 
The following are the minerals of importance: 

Smaltite seems to be composed of cobalt, nickel, 
iron, and arsenic; the typical form is arsenic 72.1, 
cobalt 9.4, nickel 9.5, iron 9 = 100. Hardness 5.5-6, 
specific gravity 6.4-7.2. Color, tin-white, sometimes 
iridescent. Streak, grayish-black. Brittle. Before 
the blow-pipe, on charcoal with soda, the arsenious 
acid fumes are given off, and the garlic smell is 
plainly observed. With borax for the bead the 
assay may be made to show (with successive heat¬ 
ings), the reactions first of iron, then cobalt, and 
nickel, provided the operator is skillful in oxidizing 
the powdered ore by cautious degrees; when one 
borax bead shows iron reaction by a certain amount 
of carefully applied OF to the bead, try another 
with increased degree of oxidization until you per¬ 
ceive the cobalt blue and nickel brown if both are 
present. 

Cobaltite is composed of sulphur, arsenic, and 
cobalt in the typical proportions of 19.3, 45.2, 35.5 — 
10Q, but it frequently, as a mineral, contains iron. 
Hardness 5.5, specific gravity 6-6.3. Under the 
blow-pipe, in an open tube, it sends off sulphurous 
fumes and a sublimate of arsenous acid. With 
borax bead gives the blue of cobalt. Dissolves in 
warm nitric acid, separating the sulphur and arsenic. 

Cobaltite and smaltite are valuable as affording 
the greater part of smalt of commerce, and the for¬ 
mer is used in porcelain painting. 

Erythrite is a soft (1.5-2.5), peach-red mineral 


152 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

of specific gravity 2.9, transparent or translucent, 
sometimes pearl- or greenish-gray. 

Composition, typical, arsenic 38.43, cobalt oxide 
37.55, water 24.02 = 100. 

In a closed tube, under blow-pipe, it yields water 
and turns bluish. Gives the usual blue for cobalt 
in the borax bead. 

Valuable for the manufacture of smalt. It is 
sometimes known as “cobalt bloom” 

LinnjEITE. This is valuable for the large amount 
of both cobalt and nickel it sometimes contains. 
Hardness 5.5, specific gravity 4.8-5 ; metallic lustre ; 
color, pale steel-gray, tarnishing to red. Composi¬ 
tion, sulphur 42, cobalt 58 -- 100, but cobalt is re¬ 
placed by large amounts of nickel, and sometimes 
copper. Some specimens from Mineral Hill, Mary¬ 
land, and from Missouri, have yielded as high as 
29.56 and 30 per cent, nickel, with 21 to 25 per 
cent, cobalt in the same specimen, but with a small 
amount of iron (3 per cent.). 

Earthy Cobalt, or Cobalt Wad (Asbolite is the 
mineralogical name), occurs as a bog ore, with man¬ 
ganese, iron and copper, and nickel. It is blue- 
black at times, has a hardness of 1 to 1.5, and 
specific gravity of 2.2 to 2.6. It sometimes contains 
up to 35 per cent, of cobalt oxide. 

Its geological position is in the earlier rocks, as 
the chlorite slates with chalcopyrite, blende, and 
pyrite, as in Maryland. Sometimes the ore is found 
in cavities in the limestone of the carboniferous age, 
as in Great Britain. The tin-white cobalt is found 


MERCURY, BISMUTH, NICKEL, COBALT, ETC. 153 

in the gneissic and primitive rocks, as in Norway. 
Linnseite is found at Mine la Motte, Mo., in masses, 
sometimes in octahedral crystals among its rich ores 
of lead and nickel. 

Cadmium. Of this mineral but one ore is known, 
namely, the sulphide, or Greenockite, with 77.7 
per cent, cadmium. Color, honey to orange-yellow 
and brick-red ; in hexagonal prisms j hardness 3 to 
3.5 ; specific gravity 4.5 to 4.908. Before the blow¬ 
pipe, on charcoal with soda, it yields a red-brown 
deposit. Cadmium is frequently associated with 
zinc ores, the blende of Eaton, for instance, contain¬ 
ing 3.4 per cent. 

Metallic cadmium is white like tin, and shares 
with it the property of emitting a crackling sound 
when bent. It is so soft that it leaves a mark upon 
paper. 


CHAPTER XI. 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, AND OTHER 
MINERALS. 

Aluminium is not found native. It is the basis 
of all clays which are oxides of aluminium com¬ 
bined with various other substances, as silex, iron, 
magnesia, and lime, but chiefly silex, so that clay 
may be known, chemically, as a-silicate of alumina. 

The sapphire and true ruby are pure crystallized 
oxides of aluminium. Emery and corundum are 
impure oxides. 

It is formed from the breaking down or wear, 
chiefly of the feldspathic rocks or elements of granite 
or gneiss and porphyries. Where great masses have 
been formed they make up the kaolin used in the 
manufacture of porcelain. 

The most valuable kaolins are those entirely free 
from iron. This is easily tested by the blow-pipe, 
since, when the kaolin is heated, it changes from 
white to brown, a proof that iron is present. Kaolin 
beds without any trace of iron are valuable. 

Corundum is an oxide of aluminium, and is val¬ 
uable for its abrasive qualities. It has a hardness of 
9, being in this respect only inferior to the diamond, 
and a specific gravity of 3.9 to 4.2. It easily 
scratches topaz and quartz. It is generally found 
( 154 ) 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 155 


associated with the crystalline rocks, as granular 
limestone, gneiss, mica slate, chlorite slate. It 
occurs of many colors, blue, black, also red, green, 
yellow, white. Dull crystals are called corundum, 
and gray or black granular varieties Emery. The 
blue variety is called Sapphire, the most esteemed 
shade being deep velvet blue; the blood red variety 
is the Oriental Ruby, which can be readily dis¬ 
tinguished from other red gems by its superior 
hardness; the bright yellow r variety is the Oriental 
Topaz, distinguished by its hardness from the topaz, 
yellow tourmaline and false topaz; the bright green 
is the Oriental Emerald ; the bright violet, 
Oriental Amethyst. One variety exhibits a six- 
rayed star inside the prism, and is called the 
Asterias. Ruby is the most highly prized form of 
this mineral. 

In the metal aluminium, it is probable that the 
finer clays Avill serve in the future as the source, 
although at present artificial refuse from certain 
manufactures has been largely used, together with 
some minerals, as cryolite, bauxite, etc. 

Cryolite is a double fluoride of aluminium and 
sodium, and contains sometimes 13 per cent, of al¬ 
uminium. At present it is imported from Green¬ 
land, but it exists and is reported as found in 
the United States. 

Hardness 2.5, specific gravity 3. It is v T hite, with 
various shades of yellow and light browm, easily 
fusible in a candle flame. Translucent; brittle. 

With the’blow-pipe, on charcoal, it fuses to a clear 


156 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

bead, becoming opaque on cooling. After long 
blowing with 0 F the assay spreads out, the fluoride 
of sodium sinks into the coal, and the suffocating 
odor of fluorine is given off and the alumina re¬ 
mains as a crust, which, if touched with a little co¬ 
balt solution and gently heated, gives a blue color 
of alumina. If some of the cryolite is powered and 
placed near the open end of a glass tube and the 
flame from the blow-pipe turned carefully on it, 
the fluorine will be freed and will etch the glass, 
showing corrosion and proving the presence of 
fluorine. 

Bauxite. This mineral is soft and granular and 
abounds in some places. It is easily worked, and, 
although it contains only from 50 to 70 per cent, 
of the oxide of aluminium, it has only a small per 
cent, of impurity beside the water of combination. 
It is supposed to be the most economical ore for the 
production of aluminium. The finely pulverized 
mineral is mixed with sodium carbonate, 3 of the 
latter to 1 of the former, heated below the melting 
point, the mass well stirred all the time until, when 
any portion is treated with an acid, there is no effer¬ 
vescence. The mass is taken out of the heat, ground 
and lixiviated with hot water, which extracts the 
sodium aluminate in solution, leaving the silica and 
iron insoluble. The alumina is precipitated from 
the clear solution by means of carbonic acid gas 
forming sodium carbonate, while the alumina settles 
to the bottom of the vessel. This is washed with 
hot water and dried. From this the metal is formed 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 157 

chiefly by electrolysis from the pure oxide or from 
its salts, as reported by Alfred E. Hunt.* 

Bauxite is a ferruginous clay of dull lustre and of 
various colors, specific gravity 2.55, the impurities 
being, generally, a small quantity of silica with a 
sesquioxide of iron and water. It is soluble in sul¬ 
phuric acid. 

Deposits of bauxite have been found in Alabama, 
Georgia and Arkansas. The ore occurs associated 
with limonites and kaolins in irregular beds, in the 
region underlaid by the Knox dolomite of the Lower 
Silurian formation. In Alabama these occurrences 
are always near to the foot-hills of the mountains 
formed of the Weisner quartzite or sandstone, which 
in Alabama is a member of the Cambrian. The 
bauxite, therefore, seems to be associated chiefly 
with the lower beds of the Knox dolomite. In 
Georgia, the bauxite occurs in the same formation, 
and in Arkansas in territorial areas and in the neigh¬ 
borhood of eruptive syenites. 

There are some rich clays, existing in large quan¬ 
tities, which, when digested with sulphuric acid, 
part with their silica; and other processes may be 
found for preparing clay so as to eliminate both iron 
and silica, which detracts from the purity of the 
metal aluminium. 

There are at Gay Head, on the west end of Mar¬ 
tha’s Vineyard, immense cliffs of clay of several 
colors. Some of this clay is nearly white, and shows 

* Technology Quarterly, Vol. IV., No. 1, April, 1891. 


158 PROSPECTORS FIELD-BOOK AND GUIDE. 


little or no iron under the blow-pipe. There are 
tons of it which show very little silica, if the trial of 
small quantities proves what the masses are. Clays 
of this kind may yet prove to be the chief economic 
source. 

ANTIMONY. This metal is usually found as¬ 
sociated with arsenic and sulphur, the chief ore 
being 

Stibnite, which is a sulphide of antimony, anti¬ 
mony 71.8, sulphur 28.2. This ore affords nearly 
all the antimony of commerce. Hardness 2, gravity 
4.5, metallic lustre; color and streak lead-gray, sec- 
tile. When pure, perfectly soluble in muriatic acid. 

Before the blow-pipe, on charcoal, it fuses, spreads 
out, gives sulphurous and antimonious fumes, coats 
the coal with white oxide of antimony; this coat 
treated in R F tinges the flame greenish-blue. 

Geology. It is found in veins in some places, as 
in Wolfsberg, in the Hartz, and other localities. 
Abundant in the granitic ranges south side of Tulare 
Valley, near the pass of South Amedio, South Cen¬ 
tral California. Found in the metamorphic rocks. 
It occurs with ores of silver, lead, and zinc, when it 
gives great trouble in purifying those metals. 

MANGANESE. The ores of manganese are di¬ 
vided into three general classes :— 

1. Manganese ores. 

2. Manganiferous iron ores. 

3. Argentiferous manganese ores. 

WAD is the name given to manganese oxide. It 
is found in earthy compact masses of a dark brown 
color, chiefly oxide of manganese and water. 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 159 


Easily recognized under the blow-pipe, as it gives 
(in minute quantities), in the borax bead, a violet 
color in the 0 F, but disappears when the B F is 
turned upon it, and reappears when the 0 F is re¬ 
peated. 

It is found in beds varying from several inches to 
a foot or more in thickness. Hardness 1 to 3, spe¬ 
cific gravity 2.3 to 3.7. Wad is used as a flux in 
iron smelting, and in a lixiviated state as a paint. 

Pyrolusite. This is the peroxide or dioxide 
with 63.2 per cent, of manganese and 36.8 per cent, 
oxygen. Its crystalline form is the rhombic prism 
and it generally occurs in the form of minute crys¬ 
tals grouped together and radiating from a common 
centre. It has an iron-black or steel-gray color, a 
semi-metallic lustre and yields a black streak. Spe¬ 
cific gravity 4.7 to 5 ; hardness 1.5 to 2.5 ; infusible 
before the blow-pipe, and acquires a red-brown color. 
On heating it generally yields some water and loses 
12 per cent, of oxygen. With borax, soda and mi- 
crocosmic salt it shows manganese reaction, It dis¬ 
solves in hydrochloric acid, when heated, with vig¬ 
orous evolution of hydrogen. 

Psilomelane occurs massive, frequently shelly, 
seldom fibrous; color, iron-black to bluish-black, 
streak bluish-black and shining; fracture, con- 
choidal to smooth. Specific gravity 4.1 to 4.2, hard¬ 
ness 5.5 to 6. Before the blow-pipe it yields man¬ 
ganic oxide, giving off oxygen. It is soluble in 
hydrochloric acid, chlorine being evolved. The 
powdered ore colors sulphuric acid red. Psilome- 


160 prospector’s field-book AND guide. 


lane contains from 40 to 50 per cent, of manganese, 
and some baryta and potassa. A solution in hydro¬ 
chloric acid of the variet}' containing baryta gives a 
heavy white precipitate with sulphuric acid. 

Manganese Carbonate (Rhodochrosite is the 
mineralogical name) occurs in spherical and nodular 
aggregations of cauliform texture or in compact 
masses of granular texture. It is rose-red to rasp¬ 
berry-red in color, by weathering frequently brown¬ 
ish, with a glassy or mother-of-pearl lustre. It 
cleaves like calcite. It contains 61.4 per cent, of 
manganese protoxide and 38.6 per cent, of carbonic 
acid, with part of manganese frequently replaced by 
calcium, magnesium, or iron. Specific gravity 3.3 
to 3.6 ; hardness 3.5 to 4.5. Before the blow-pipe it 
is infusible and becomes black. From similar min¬ 
erals it is distinguished by its rose-color and the 
manganese reaction with soda and borax ; and from 
silicate of manganese by its inferior hardness, its 
effervescence with acids and its non-fusibility. 

The manganese in ores of the third class is valu¬ 
able, even where the silver alone is sought, as it 
facilitates the work whereby the silver is extracted; 
this it does because of its fluxing quality. 

Virginia, Georgia and Arkansas are the chief 
producing States. 

The geological position of manganese in some 
places seems to be the same as with the red hematite, 
as in Virginia. 

In Tennessee it is found in the foot-hills of the 
mountains, four miles from Newport, Cocke Co., in 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 161 

pockets, and is a black oxide of 48 per cent, metallic 
manganese. 

In Vermont it is found near a siliceous limestone, 
and in the vicinity of brown hematite ores. It 
exists in the triassic formation in Bosnia. 

In North Carolina it is found in light-colored 
gneissic schists. 

OTHER USEFUL MINERALS. 

Apatite, Phosphate of Lime, occurs in six-sided 
prisms, also in masses. It is transparent or opaque ; 
colorless, white, yellowish, green, violet, with a 
glassy lustre, and yields always a white streak. 
Fracture, eonchoidal or uneven. Specific gravity 
3.16 to. 3.22 ; hardness 5. In thin laminae it is fus¬ 
ible with difficulty before the blow-pipe; when 
moistened with sulphuric acid tinges the flame 
greenish. It is soluble in hydrochloric and nitric 
acids without effervescence. From beryl it is dis¬ 
tinguished by its inferior hardness and its solubility 
in acids. It occurs in gneiss, slate, crystalline lime¬ 
stone and mica schist. It is used in the manufac¬ 
ture of fertilizers. It contains phosphoric acid, lime 
and fluorine. 

Arsenic is found in the mineral kingdom partly 
in a metallic state, partly in combination with 
oxygen, sulphur and other bodies. 

1. Native Arsenic occurs seldom distinctly crystal¬ 
lized, but usually in fine granular, spherical or nod¬ 
ular masses. Specific gravity 5.7 to 5.8 ; hardness 
11 


162 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


3.5; brittle; uneven and fine-grained fracture; 
metallic lustre; color, whitish lead-gray, usually 
with a grayish-black tarnish; evolves an odor of 
garlic on breaking; contains occasionally more or 
less iron, cobalt, nickel, antimony and silver. Be¬ 
fore the blow-pipe it quickly volatilizes before fusing, 
giving off white fumes having an odor of garlic. 
Native arsenic occurs especially in veins in crystal¬ 
line slates and transition rocks in subordinate quan¬ 
tities associated with ores of silver, lead, cobalt and 
nickel. 

2. Realgar, with 70.029 per cent, of arsenic and 
29.971 per cent, sulphur. Color, red; crystallizes 
clinorhombic; fracture conchoidal to splintery; 
hardness 1.5 to 2.0 ; specific gravity 3.4 to 3.6. It 
is but slightly affected by acids; soluble with a de¬ 
posit of sulphur in aqua regia, and in concentrated 
potash lye with separation of dark brown sulphuret 
of arsenic. From ruby silver and cinnabar, it is 
readily distinguished by its inferior hardness, 
slighter specific gravity and orange-yellow streak, 
the streak of the two above-mentioned minerals be¬ 
ing cochineal-red. 

3. Orpiment, with 60.9 per cent, of arsenic and 
39.1 per cent, of sulphur, occurs in nature, but for 
industrial purposes is mostly artificially prepared. 
The mineral has a lustrous lemon-yellow or orange- 
yellow color, is cleavable into thin, flexible, trans¬ 
parent laminae ; hardness 1.5 to 2 ; specific gravity 
3.4 to 3.5; soluble in nitric acid, potash lye and 
ammonia. 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 163 


Dolomite is composed of carbonic acid, lime, 
magnesia. It occurs in rhombohedrons, faces often 
curved, it is frequently granular or massive ; white 
or dull tinted ; and glassy or pearly. Specific grav¬ 
ity 2.8 to 2.9 ; hardness 3.5 to 4. Effervesces in 
nitric acid and dissolves more slowly than calc spar. 
Yields quicklime when burnt. Occurs in extensive 
beds of various ages like limestone. It is used as a 
building-stone and in the manufacture of Epsom 
salts. It is difficult to distinguish from calcite 
without chemical analysis. 

Feldspar, Orthoclase, is composed of silica, 
alumina, potash or soda (lime). Crystallized or in 
irregular masses. Opaque; usually flesh red or 
white, or of various dull tints. Lustre, glassy or 
pearlyfracture, irregular, but in some directions it 
splits with an even, glimmering cleavage face. 
Specific gravity 2.3 to 2.8 ; hardness 6. Before the 
blow-pipe it fuses with difficulty ; is not touched by 
acids. It is largely used in the manufacture of 
china ware. 

Fluorspar, Fluorite, consists of 48.7 per cent, 
of fluorine and 51.3 per cent, of calcium. It occurs 
in cubes or octahedrons, and also in masses. It is 
transparent or opaque; white or light violet, blue, 
green or }^ellow ; sometimes layers of different tints 
in the same piece. Lustre, glassy. It breaks with 
smooth cleavage planes parallel to the octahedral 
faces. Specific gravity 3 to 3.2 ; hardness 4. Be¬ 
fore the blow-pipe it is fusible with difficulty to an 
enamel. It is used in the manufacture of hydro- 


164 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

fluoric acid, with which glass is etched, and also as 
a flux for copper and other ores. Sometimes it is 
employed for ornaments, especially massive pieces, 
they taking a high polish. It occurs in veins with 
lead and silver ores. 

Graphite, Plumbago, Blacklead, consists of 
carbon. It occurs in hexagonal crystals but usually 
in foliated or massive layers. Color, steel gray to 
bluish black. Hardness very slight, 0.5 to 1. Soils 
the fingers, makes a mark upon paper, and feels 
greasy. The specific gravities of different kinds of 
graphite vary according to the content of foreign 
admixtures, but lie within the limits of 2.105 and 
2.5857. Graphite is not affected by acids and 
strongly resists other chemical agents. It is largely 
used in the manufacture of pencils, crucibles, stove 
polish, and lubricants for heavy machinery. It is 
found in various parts of the earth, chiefly in crys¬ 
talline limestone, in gneiss and mica schists, fre¬ 
quently replacing the mica in the latter so that they 
become actual graphite schists. The most important 
locality in California is the Eureka graphite mine 
on the west side of Tennessee gulch ; the mineral 
forms a vein from 23 to 32 feet thick and is so pure 
that the greater part of it is directly cut into blocks 
and brought into market. 

Gypsum is composed of sulphuric acid, lime and 
water. It occurs in prisms with oblique termina¬ 
tions, sometimes resembling an arrow-head. It is 
transparent or opaque, white or dull tinted, with a 
glassy, pearly or satin lustre. Cleavage occurs 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 165 


easily in one direction ; specific gravity 2.3 ; hard¬ 
ness 2 ; can be readily cut with the knife. In the 
blow-pipe flame it becomes white and opaque with¬ 
out fusing, and can then be easily crumbled between 
the fingers. Nitric acid does not cause effervescence. 
It occurs in fissures and in stratified rocks, often 
forming extensive beds. When pure white it is 
called Alabaster ; when transparent Selenite, and 
when fibrous Satin Spar. When burnt it forms 
Plaster of Paris. It is used for ornaments, and 
as a fertilizer. 

Heavy Spar, Barite. This is the sulphate of 
barium. It occurs in tabular, glassy crystals and 
also in dull masses in veins of various rock forma¬ 
tions. Color, white or tinted; transparent or trans¬ 
lucent'; lustre, vitreous or pearly. Specific gravity 
4.3 to 4.7, hardness 3 to 3.5. It is readily distin¬ 
guished by its great comparative weight. When 
heated in the blow-pipe flame splinters fly off the 
crystals ; it fuses with difficulty and imparts a green 
tinge to the flame. After fusion with soda, stains 
silver coin black. It is not acted upon by acids. 
When ground it is used as a white paint. 

Mica. Always crystallized in thin plates, which 
may be split into extremely thin flexible layers. 
Transparent in thin layers. Color, white, green, 
brown to black. Specific gravity 2.7 to 3.1 ; hard¬ 
ness 2 to 2.5 ; very easity scratched with a knife. 
Before the blow-pipe it whitens, but is infusible ex¬ 
cept on thin edges. It is abundant in granite and 
schist, It is extensively used in sheets, and ground. 


166 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Sheets are used for stoves and for insulating pur¬ 
poses in electrical plants. The ground material is 
used as a lubricant and in making ornamental and 
fire-proof paint. The most valuable variety is the 
pure white in large sheets, though for electrical pur¬ 
poses, the amber-colored variety may be used. 
Spotted varieties are of little or no value. 

Molybdenum.. The sulphide occurs native as 
Molybdenite in crystallolaminar masses or tabular 
crystals, having a strong metallic lustre and lead- 
gray color, and forming a greenish-black streak 
which is best seen by drawing a piece across a china 
plate. Specific gravity 4.5 to 4.6 ; hardness 1 to 
1.5; easily scratched by the nail. It contains 58.9 
of molybdenum and 41.1 per cent, of sulphur. It 
occurs sparingly in granite, syenite and chlorite 
schists, and is sometime^ mistaken for graphite, from 
which it is, however, readily distinguished by the 
streak, that of graphite being black. Before the 
blowpipe it is infusible, but tinges the flame faint 
green. Heated on charcoal for a long time it gives 
off a faint sulphurous odor and becomes encrusted 
white. Its chief use is in the preparation of a blue 
color. 

Rock Salt has the character of ordinary table 
salt, but is more or less impure. Occurs in beds 
interstratified with sandstones and clays, which are 
usually of a red color and associated with gypsum. 
Specific gravity 2 to 2.25 ; hardness, 2 to 2.5. It 
contains 39.30 per cent, of sodium and 60.66 per 
cent, of chlorine, but most samples contain clay and 


ALUMINIUM, ANTIMONY, MANGANESE, ETC. 167 

a little lime and magnesia. The surface indications 
of rock salt are brine springs supporting a vegetation 
like that near the sea coast, also occasional sinking 
of the soil caused by the removal of the subter¬ 
ranean bed of salt by spring water. Rock salt is ob¬ 
tained by sinking wells, from which the brine is 
pumped and evaporated in large pans, or by mining, 
the same as for any other ore. 

Sulphur. Native sulphur occurs crystallized or 
massive in volcanic regions and in beds of gypsum. 
Color, yellow; lustre, resinous; specific gravity 
2.1 ; hardness 1.5 to 2.5. It is fusible and burns 
with a blue flame and well known odor. It is fre¬ 
quently found contaminated with clay or pitch. 

Talc or Soapstone, called Steatite when mass¬ 
ive, is a silicate of magnesia. It is trimetric, 
foliated or massive, nearly opaque, of a white or 
green color, pearly lustre and greasy feel. Specific 
gravity 2.7 ; hardness 1 ; easily impressed by the 
nail, but impure varieties are much harder. It is 
readily distinguished by its greasy feel and pearly 
lustre; it is not attacked by boiling sulphuric acid. 
It is often applied to useful purposes, as for gas 
burners, a filling for paper, etc. 


CHAPTER XII. 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 

Crude petroleum occurs only in the higher 
strata of rocks, it being never found in metamorphic 
rocks or crystalline formation. The Pennsylvania 
oil strata belong to the Devonian age, the anticlinal 
ridges being more favorable, it is said, than the 
synclinal ones. In Kentucky it occurs near the 
base of carboniferous limestone. In California it is 
found in strata belonging to the tertiary age, in 
Colorado and other western States in those belong¬ 
ing to the cretaceous, and in North Carolina in 
those belonging to the triassic. In West Virginia it 
occurs in strata belonging to the coal measures. 
Crude petroleum is a fluid of a dark color, sometimes 
black, and contains 84 to 88 per cent, of carbon, 
the rest hydrogen. 

In prospecting for petroleum, the prospector, be¬ 
sides the customary outfit, should carry a stick pro¬ 
vided with a long iron point. It is best to follow 
the courses of rivers and creeks upward, because the 
progress of the work will not then be impeded by 
the turbidit} r of the water. It is also advisable to 
make such excursions in the warm season of the 
year, because the oil exudes more freely at that time 
than in cooler weather, when especially heavy oils 
( 168 ) 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 169 

and mineral tar or maltha, are readily converted 
into a butyraceous mass. It is also best to wait 
until the water in the rivers and creeks is low. 

Observe whether the surface of the water exhibits 
variegated iridescent figures, this being especially 
the case in places where the water stands quietly or 
moves very little, for instance, in coves. Such an 
iridescent film, when found, may be due to petro¬ 
leum, but also to iron oxides and similar substances. 
However, by touching the surface of the water, for 
instance, with the iron-pointed stick, a film of oxide 
of iron may be disintegrated in angular pieces and 
very small flakes, which can be moved in any direc¬ 
tion, while oil films, when separated, reunite, and 
can be readily distinguished from allied indications 
by the* many changes in color and figures. To be 
sure, films of very heavy oil may occasionally be 
met with which can be separated into angular pieces, 
behaving in this respect like iron oxides, but they 
almost invariably exhibit variegated movable rings 
of color. In swamps other substances may produce 
a phenomenon similar to crude oil. 

When indications of oil have in this manner been 
discovered in a cpiiet part of a water-course, try to 
remove the iridescent film and turn up the bottom 
by several times driving the iron-pointed stick into 
it. If films of oil together with hubbies of gas re¬ 
appear, and this phenomenon occurs regularly after 
repeated experiments, it may be supposed that there 
is an outcrop of oil which deserves further exami¬ 
nation. 


170 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


However, if the work with the iron-pointed stick 
yields negative results, the oil must have floated 
down from above, and the examination of the water¬ 
course has to be continued until by means of the 
iron-pointed stick the source of the traces of crude 
oil has been found. This source will usually be in 
sandstone or other porous rock, and pieces knocked 
off with a hammer will exhibit the oil generally in 
the form of drops, partly upon the surfaces of the 
strata and partly also in small cavities. Instead of 
petroleum, mineral tar—a black smeary mass—will 
frequently be found. 

The rock itself is occasionally impregnated, which 
may be recognized partly by the odor and partly by 
the so-called water-test. For this purpose place a 
piece of the rock in quiet water, if possible exposed 
to the rays of the sun; if the rock contains oil the 
characteristic iridescent colors appear, as a rule, 
immediately upon the surface of the water. 

The fresh fracture of oil-bearing sandstone is, as 
a rule, of a darker color than that of adjoining rock. 
After rain, drops of water adhere to out-crops of oil 
sandstone in a manner similar to that observed on 
other fatty substances. 

If in prospecting in water courses oil-bearing 
sandstone has been found, the question has to be 
answered whether the prospector has to deal with 
contiguous rock or simply with an erratic block. 
This question can, as a rule, be decided without 
much difficulty, from the position of the stratifica¬ 
tion and the petrographic character of the rock in 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 171 

question as compared with the surroundings. How¬ 
ever, if there is still a doubt, examine, by means of 
the water-test, the portions of rock in the natural 
continuation of the block. 

Should the oil-bearing rock actually turn out to 
be an erratic block, the rock from which it has been 
derived will be found above, either on the slopes or 
in the water-course itself. Knowing the petro¬ 
graphic character of the oil-bearing block, it will 
not be difficult to find in the neighborhood the rock 
from which it is derived. In the above-described 
manner the water-courses are traced to the limits of 
the territory. In carrying on the work of prospect¬ 
ing, it is advisable to examine specimens of all the 
sandstone by means of the water-test, since the latter 
frequently shows the presence of petroleum, though 
there may be no external indications of it. 

It may be mentioned, that in cooler weather the 
traces of oil upon the surface of the water do not 
yield blue, red, yellow, etc., figures, or at least not 
very vivid ones, but a milky coloration, which pos¬ 
sibly may also be due to other causes, so that deter¬ 
mination is more difficult and less certain. This is 
another reason why it is advisable to select warm 
days for prospecting. That oil may also be detected 
by its odor need scarcely be mentioned. 

In sivampy puddles iridescent films, which do not 
consist of iron oxides, but of hydrocarbons formed 
by decomposition, are occasionally met with. If due 
to the latter cause, they do not reappear, or at least 
only to a slight extent, when removed with the iron- 


172 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


pointed stick from the surface of the water. How¬ 
ever, in examining the bottom, gas-bubbles generally 
rise to the surface. Such puddles are examined first 
in the centre, and then by detaching pieces from the 
edges with the iron-pointed stick. 

Salses (' mud-volcanoes ), as well as abundant ex¬ 
halations of natural gas, if not derived from coal 
measures, are promising indications of the presence 
of petroleum in the territory. 

It need scarcely be mentioned that porous rock— 
if oil-bearing—-justifies greater expectations than 
compact rock, and that larger quantities of oil may 
be looked for in oil-bearing sandstone of greater 
thickness. 

Although, generally speaking, a rich occurrence 
of oil may be inferred from abundant indications in 
the outcrop, the reverse is not always correct; in 
many oil-fields, now productive, the indications when 
first found were not especially encouraging. 

If the oil occurs in definite geological horizons, 
the latter must be particularly searched for and 
traced and carefully examined in the water courses 
crossing them, not only because the strata are there 
most denuded so as to allow of the best view of their 
geological structure, but also because the oil, since 
the restraining cover is wanting, has the best chance 
of exuding there, and the cut of the water-course is 
generally one of the lowest points of the outcrop, 
where the most abundant exudation takes place in 
consequence of the greater head of pressure. 

A very important question is whether the oil 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 173 


occurs in beds or in veins. In answering this ques¬ 
tion the following particulars may serve as guiding- 
points. 

With proportionately great denudation of the oil- 
bearing rock, it is sometimes possible directly to 
decide this question by observation, whereby the 
prospector, however, must take into consideration 
that even with a bed-like occurrence the oil will col¬ 
lect in small fissures. With a vein-like occurrence 
a fissure may be traced to where it assumes larger 
dimensions in the strike and dip. 

If the prospector has to deal with a thick seam or 
stratum of sandstone, recognized as oil-bearing, im¬ 
bedded in another rock, for instance, shale, such 
seam should be traced and pieces freshly cut from it 
examined as to their content of oil by the water test. 
If positive results are obtained, it may be inferred 
that the sandstone is the bearer of the oil, and that 
it is a bed-like occurrence. 

In a large mass of sandstone several outcrops of 
oil may sometimes be found at quite a distance from 
each other. If in tracing the stratum of the first 
outcrop according to its strike, the second, third, 
etc., outcrops are encountered, we have to do with a 
bed-like occurrence. This tracing of the stratum is 
effected by means of a compass, however, always with 
due consideration to the configuration of the ground. 
Suppose the cross-section of the sandstone bed with 
the declivity—the so-called outcrop-line—construed 
and traced. The outcrop-line will deviate the 
more from the straight line of strike, the flatter the 


174 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


strata and declivities lie. In tracing the same 
stratum, it must be observed whether its strike does 
not change, which, of course, will necessitate a 
change in the route of the prospector. 

If some promising outcrops of oil have been found, 


Fig. 45. 



which will justify the execution of more extensive 
and more expensive prospecting work, it is advisa¬ 
ble to mark accurately in the sketch-map, in addition 
to the outcrops, the irrelative heights, generally de¬ 
termined by an aneroid barometer, the strike and 
dip of the stratum reduced to the astronomical 








PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 175 


meridian, and the outcrops of well characterized 
concordant strata, for instance, imbedded shale, S, 
Fig. 45, no matter whether they lie in the upcast or 
downcast of the outcrops of oil, a. The relative 
heights of one of these strata are determined in 
several places, selecting points which can be readily 
found upon the map, and, if possible, lie at the same 
height, which can be readily effected without essen¬ 
tial error with the assistance of an aneroid barometer 
by taking observations in rapid succession. The 
points of same height, for instance, 1 and 2, give 
the strike of the stratum for a greater distance. 

By connecting the outcrops of oil a by a line AA, 
and again determining in the latter several points 
of the same height, for instance, 3, 4 and 5, the 
genera*! strike is again obtained. If the latter runs 
parallel with the general strike of the characteristic 
stratum S, previously traced, one is justified in in¬ 
ferring a bed-like occurrence of oil, even if the con¬ 
strued dip of the outcrop line of oil corresponds with 
the observed local dip of the strata. 

In these investigations it is presupposed that the 
oil is recognized as exuding from the solid rock, an 
error regarding the outcrop of it being, therefore, 
excluded. Such an error may, however, occur when 
the outcrop is covered with loose masses of earth and 
rock, to the base of which the oil exuding above 
flows down hidden, and escapes further below by 
some accidental cause. 

A vein-like occurrence of oil will not show the 
above-mentioned conformities with the characteristic 


176 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

concordant strata. Such an occurrence presupposes 
a fissure which is generally connected with a throw 
of the strata. This is most frequently established 
by the fact that a characteristic stratum suddenly 
ends and does not reappear in its natural continua¬ 
tion, but either to the right or left, or higher or 
lower. If two or more such points of disturbance 
have been found, their connecting line is the out¬ 
crop line of the fissure, Fig. 46. If this line passes 


Fig. 46. 



through the outcrop a, or if several outcrops lie in 
it, a vein-like occurrence of oil must be inferred. 

However, sometimes the oil occurs in a maze of 
smaller and larger fissures. This is shown in the 
construction by the fact that in the presence of sev¬ 
eral outcrops a linear distribution of the same can¬ 
not be recognized, and that the combinations yield 
the most varying results according to whether ex- 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 177 

ploration is carried on from the one or the other 
outcrop. Such occurrence presents uncommon dif¬ 
ficulties in prospecting. 

It need scarcely be mentioned that in prospecting 
for oil, it is of great importance to hunt up and map 
the anticlinals and their saddles, as well as faults. 

The directions here given for prospecting may 
have to be modified according to local conditions. 
With a sufficient preliminary knowledge of geology, 
any difficulties will, as a rule, be readily overcome 
by thoroughly digesting the principles of the direc¬ 
tions given. 

As regards the quality of the surface oil, it must 
be remembered that it is not a criterion for the oil 
occurring at greater depth. The oil thickens on 
the surface of the earth, and with increasing density 
becomes viscous and dark. If pale, limpid, and spe¬ 
cifically lighter oil is found at the outcrop, it is sure 
evidence of oil of excellent quality at greater depth. 
In every case it may be expected that the quality 
of the oil at greater depth is superior to that at the 
outcrop. 

Ozocerite is a mineral paraffine or wax, and oc¬ 
curs generally in fissures and cavities in the neigh¬ 
borhood of coal-fields and deposits of rock salt, or 
under sandstone pervaded with bitumen. It is 
found in various localities in Africa, America, Asia 
and Europe. In the United States it occurs in 
Arizona, Texas and Utah. 

The most interesting deposit is in East Galicia; 
the ozocerite occurs there in a saliferous clay be- 
12 


178 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


longing to the miocene of the more recent tertiary 
period, and forming a narrow, almost continuous 
strip on the northern edge of the Carpathian Moun¬ 
tains. This miocene group of saliferous clay con¬ 
sists chiefly of bluish and variegated clays, sands 
and sandstones, with numerous occurrences of gyp¬ 
sum, rock salt and salt springs. In Boryslaw, the 
strata of saliferous clay form a perceptible saddle as 
they sink on the south below the so-called menilite 


Fig. 47. 



slates, which are very bituminous and foliated, and 
form here the most northern edge of the Carpathian 
Mountains. The principal deposit of ozocerite con¬ 
verges with the axis of this saddle as shown in Fig. 
47, S being the strata of saliferous clay; and M 
menilite slate. 

Closely allied- to ozocerite are the following min¬ 
eral resins: 



PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 179 


Retinite, generally of a yellowish brown, some¬ 
times of a green-yellow or red color. It is found 
with brown coal in various localities. 

Elaterite or elastic bitumen, of a blackish 
brown color, subtranslueent, and occurring in soft, 
flexible masses in the lead-veins of Castleton, in 
Derbyshire, in the bituminous sandstone of Wood¬ 
bury, Connecticut, etc. 

Pyropissite occurs in strata in brown coal. 

Ozocerite occurs in various shades of color, from 
pale yellow to black; when melted it generally 
shows a dark-green color. The pale varieties are 
chiefly found in places containing much marsh gas. 
The dark-green, heavy variety is the best, while the 
black kind, or asphaltic wax, is the poorest; it con¬ 
tains resinous combinations of oxygen, and is inter¬ 
mediate between mineral oil and ozocerite. 

The odor of ozocerite is, according to its purity, 
agreeably wax-like. In consistency it is soft, pliable, 
flexible to hard ; the mass in the latter case showing 
a conchoidal fracture, but softens on kneading. 
The boiling-point lies between 133° and 105° F., 
and of the so-called “ marble wax ” even as high as 
230° F. The specific gravity is from 0.845 to 0.930. 

Ozocerite is readily soluble in oil of turpentine, 
petroleum, benzine, etc., and with difficulty in 
alcohol and ether; it burns with a bright flame, 
generally leaving no residue. Its elementary com¬ 
position is about that of petroleum, 85 per cent, of 
carbon and 15 per cent, of hydrogen. 

Native Asphalt or Bitumen is solid at the ordi- 


180 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


nary temperature, of a black to blackish-brown 
color and a conchoidal fracture with glossy lustre. 
Hardness 1 to 2 ; specific gravity 1 to 2. It melts 
at 90° F., and is very inflammable. It appears to 
be formed by the oxidation of the non-saturated 
hydrocarbides in petroleum. The most remarkable 
deposits are in Cuba and Trinidad. Other noted 
localities are the Dead Sea, Seyssel (France), Lim- 
mer, the Abruzzo, and Val de Travers. It occurs 
also of every degree of consistence, and in immense 
quantity, along the coast' of the Gulf of Mexico, 
chiefly in the States of Tamaulipas, Vera Cruz and 
Tabasco, where not unfrequently it is associated 
with rock salt and “ saltpetre.” It has recently 
been discovered in Utah in widely separated places. 
It has been found associated with ozocerite and 
more extensively as melted out of sandstone, Cali¬ 
fornia includes a large area which furnishes asphalt, 
much the larger proportion being the product of the 
decomposition of petroleum, while the remainder 
occurs in veins that are evidently eruptive, the for¬ 
mer occurring in beds of greater or less extent on 
hill-sides or gulch slopes, below springs of more fluid 
bitumen. These deposits are scattered over the 
country between the bay of Monterey and San 
Diego, but are chiefly observed west and south of 
the coast ranges, between Santa Barbara and the 
Soledad pass. Asphalt occurs also in other localities 
in the United States, for instance in Connecticut, in 
their seams and veins in eruptive rock ; in New 
York in the region of eruptive and metamorphic 


PETROLEUM, OZOCERITE, ASPHALT, PEAT. 181 


rocks, in Tennessee in the Trenton limestone, etc. 
In some American specimens organic sulphur has 
been found to the extent of 10.85 per cent. Asphalt 
is in great request for paving purposes ; it is of in¬ 
creasing value and deposits are eagerly sought for. 

Peat. Peat is not a mineral, hut consists of the 
cumulatively resolved fibrous parts of certain mosses 
and graminacese. It gradually darkens from brown 
to black with increasing age. It occurs in beds or 
in bogs. As a fuel, it is most economically used at 
the place where it is grown. Good peat yields about 
3 to 6 per cent, of tar proper, which is comparatively 
easy to purify by the usual method. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


PRECIOUS STONES. 

The following descriptions have reference to those 
important gems and salable minerals which have 
been found in our own country. 

Diamond. True diamonds have been found in 
North Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Virginia, and 
California. Some of the finest diamonds are found 
with little shape and no very prominent lustre. 
The most probable shape is that of a worn octahe¬ 
dron. The appearance is that of a dull quartz 
pebble, but translucent. The cutting brings out 
the brilliancy. 

They occur in the drift in regions of granite rocks 
where are dykes, slates and quartz, feldspar, mag¬ 
netic ore, flint, garnets scattered through hills of 
clay, as in Kentucky, where the diamond has been 
found. But the characteristic chief rock is a kind 
of sandstone occurring in plates and which is 
slightly flexible. It is called Itacolumite, or flexible 
sandstone. This is found in North Carolina and 
Georgia, and it is said that it occurs in the diamond 
region of Brazil. In South Africa the diamond¬ 
hearing deposits which are alluvial consist chiefly 
of nodules of granite, basalt, sandstone, greenstone, 
( 182 ) 


PRECIOUS STONES. 


183 


and in it are garnets, agates, pebbles, whose specific 
gravity is the same as that of the diamond. 

Persons looking for the diamond should never 
suppose that diamonds, as found in nature, are 
brilliant, but should look for dull-looking grayish- 
white pebbles, having an indistinct octahedral form, 
generally somewhat worn, sometimes pointed at two 
opposite ends, but also somewhat rounded. 

Diamond is pure carbon. It is not always color¬ 
less, but sometimes shaded, and is then of less value, 
except in the case of a bluish cast, when, if clear, 
its value is generally greater. 

Rubies, emeralds, and sapphires have recently 
been reported as found west of the Rocky Moun¬ 
tains. The oriental emerald is not like the true 
emerald, but is a green transparent variety of co¬ 
rundum, differing from sapphire only in color. Dr. 
J. Lawrence Smith found, some years ago, speci¬ 
mens in Montana. The true oriental ruby, hard¬ 
ness 9, gravity 3.9—4.1, is altogether alumina, and 
is found associated with the granite rocks and 
crystalline limestones, dolomites, gneiss, mica slate, 
chlorite slates, etc. Emeralds have been found 
scattered through the gravel. They are perfectly 
transparent when pure, and valuable in proportion 
to their transparency. 

Beryl, piiexacite, and topaz have been re¬ 
ported as found on Mount Antero, Colorado, in 
valuable quantities. The first has a hardness of 
7.5-8, gravity 2.6, is transparent. Color, emerald- 
green, yellow, and white. Contains silicate of 
alumina and glucina. 


184 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Phenacite is a silicate of glucina, and topaz is a 
silicate of alumina with fluorine. Their hardness 
is about the same, topaz being 8, gravity 8.4 to 3.6. 
The hardness, beautiful transparency, and colors of 
these minerals make them valuable for cutting as 
gems, since they are capable of extreme polish. 

Garnets of great beauty, and some of high value, 
have been found in Arizona, and have been gath¬ 
ered by the Navajo Indians by the hundred pounds, 
some valued from $30 to $70 a piece. They are 
blood-red, and seem to have been derived from the 
peridotite rock. 

Epidote crystals of great value and beauty have 
been found in Georgia, Rabun County, one mile 
from the Rabun Gap. 

Fire opal of high value has been found in 
Oregon, Crook Co., near John Davies River. 

Turquois has been found in the Holy Cross 
mining region, thirty miles from Leadville, Colo¬ 
rado, very similar to that which has been found in 
Arizona and New Mexico, but the color is a better 
blue. It is a phosphate of alumina, colored with 
copper when a true turquois. 


APPENDIX. 


CORRECTION OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 


British weights and measures, and those used in 
our country, are based upon the weight of a cubic 
inch of distilled water at 62° Fall., and 30 inches 
height of the barometer, the maximum density. 
This was decided by Parliament, in the reign of 
George IV., to be 252.458 grains. Recent experi¬ 
ments, however, show that a cubic inch of water at 
the temperature of maximum density is 252.286 
standard grains. On this account scientists are 
urging the readjustment of the gallon, bushel, etc., 
but at present the tables below are correct. See 
also No. 8. 

Weights and measures of various nations :— 


No. 1.—English Length. 


1 inch. 

1 foot. 

1 yard. 

1 rod, pole, or perch (16£ feet). 

1 chain (22 yards or 66 feet). 

1 furlong (220 yards or 660 feet). 

1 mile (1760 yards, or 5280 feet). 

A span = 9 inches ; a fathom = 6 feet; a league = 3 miles; a 
geographical mile = 6082.66 feet, same as a nautical knot, 60 being 
a degree, i. e., 69.121 miles. 


3 barleycorns 
12 inches — 

3 feet — 

5£ yards = 

4 poles or 100 links = 
10 chains 

8 furlongs == 


(185) 



186 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Particular Measures of Length. 


A point, of an inch. 
A line, of an inch. 
A palm, 3 inches. 

A hand, 4 inches. 

A link, 7.92 inches. 


A pace, military, 2 feet, 6 inches. 
A pace, geometrical, 5 feet. 

A cable’s length, 120 fathoms. 

A degree (average), 69} miles. 


No. 2. —Surface Measure. 


144 square inches = 

9 square feet = 

30} square yards = 
10 poles (square) — 

40 poles = 

10 chains or 4 roods = 

640 acres = 

No. 3.—Surface 

9 square feet 
272} “ “ 

4,356 “ “ 

10,890 “ “ 

43,560 “ “ 

27,878,400 square feet 


1 square foot. 

1 square yard. 

1 pole, rod, or perch (square) 
1 chain (sq.) or 484 sq. yds. 

1 rood (sq.) or 1210 sq. yds. 

1 acre (4840 sq. yds.). 

1 sq. mile. 

Measure in Feet. 

= 1 square yard. 

= 1 pole, rod, or perch 

= 1 square chain. 

1 square rood. 

= 1 acre. 

1 square mile. 


No. 4.—Solid Measure. 

1728 cubic inches = 1 cubic foot. 

27 cubic feet = 1 cubic yard. 

16} feet long, 1 foot high, and 1} feet thick = 1 perch stone = 
24} cubic feet. 


No. 5.—Weight. 


T\'og Weight. Platinum, gold, silver, and some 
precious stones are weighed by Troy weight, dia¬ 
monds by carats of 4 grains each. 


24 grains 
20 pennyweights 
12 ounces 


1 pennyweight. 

1 ounce (480 grains). 

1 pound (5760 grains). 


APPENDIX. 


187 


No. 6 . — Avoirdupois Weight. 

= 1 ounce (437 \ grains). 

= 1 pound (7000 grains). 

= 1 stone. 

= 1 quarter. 

1 hundred-weight (112 pounds). 
1 ton (long ton) (2240 pounds). 


16 drams = 

16 ounces = 

14 pounds = 

2 stones = 

4 quarters = 

20 hundred-weight = 


No. 7.—Weights by Specific Gravity. 

Frequently the weight of masses is required 
where it is very inconvenient, or, perhaps, impossi¬ 
ble to use scales. The following method may be 
sufficiently accurate:— 

Find the average specific gravity of the mass 
either by actual weight of a piece or by the follow¬ 
ing table. Then measure the cubic contents of the 
mass as nearly as possible and multiply by the 
weight of a cubic foot. Thus, a mass of limestone 
(say good marble) measures 40 cubic feet. The 
specific gravity of good marble is 2.6, that is, it is 
2.6 as heavy as a cubic foot of water, which weighs 
62.5 pounds. Therefore 62.5 

2.6 


3750 

1250 


162.50 

A cubic foot of good marble weighs 162.5 pounds, and 

tire 40 cubic feet will weigh 162.5 

40 


6500.0 pounds, 

or about 3J tons. Of course all rock masses have 





188 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


not plane sides, and the irregularity requires some 
calculation and various allowances which the pros¬ 
pector must make, and can easily do with a little 
consideration. 

Where greater accuracy of specific gravity and of 
bulk is desired for small masses, and no scales are 
at hand, the following plan may be very satisfac¬ 
torily adopted. Fill a tub or hogshead or large box 
with rain water, after having inserted a tube or 
piece of tin pipe into the upper edge. Pour in more 
water until it will hold no more without running 
out of the spout. Introduce the mass of rock and 
catch all the water which runs out of the pipe. Now 
measure the overflow; this represents the exact cubic 
measure of the rock introduced. 

1 gallon contains.231 cubic inches. 

1 quart “ 57.75 or 57f cubic inches 

1 pint “ 28.87 or 28f “ 

1 gill “ 7.21 or 7^ “ 

See Appendix, No. 8. 

Suppose the overflow was 8 gallons, 1 quart, 4J 
gills, and that the specific gravity of the rock or ore 
was 6.5 by the table below. Then the mass will 
cause an overflow of 1936.99 cubic inches, and this 
is 208.99 more than one cubic foot, or about 1.120 
of a cubic foot for the mass. 

Since 6.5 was the specific gravity of the ore, 
6.5x62.5 pounds = 406.25, which would be the 
weight of a cubic foot of the ore, and 406.25 X 1.120 
= 455 pounds, the exact weight of that mass you 
introduced into the water. 






APPENDIX. 


189 


Specific Gravity, how to Find. Where the 
mass is of very nearly the same density in all parts, 
the specific gravity may be taken of a small part as 
follows:— 

Suspend the scales so that they will be steady, 
weigh about an ounce or pound of the ore accur¬ 
ately, then tie the ore by a horse-hair or a fine silk 
thread to the hook that holds one of the scales, and 
let it (the ore) hang below the scale pan, and then 
weigh the ore entirely submerged in water. The 
thread or hair may be attached to the centre of the 
scale pan and weighed in that way, but the pan in 
either case must remain on the scales just as before. 
Then the weight in air divided by the weight in air 
minus the weight in water , is the specific gravity : 
e. g., a piece of ore weighs in air 100 grains, in 
water 80 grains, then 100 divided by (100 — 80=) 
20 = 5, the specific gravity of that piece of ore. 
You may now proceed as in the case of the marble 
block. 


No. 8.—Special Weights, etc. 

One cubic foot of water is equal to 7.475 gals. U. 
S. gal. of 231 cubic inches, or 7\ gallons nearly; or 
6.2321 Imperial at 277J- cubic inches. This, with 
what follows, is important in the construction of 
tanks, pools, etc., where contents, weight, and pres¬ 
sure are to be considered. 

It should be remembered that, although the Eng¬ 
lish Imperial gallon is 277cubic inches = 10 lbs. 
avoir, of distilled water at 62° Fah., Bar. 30 inches, 


190 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

and equal to 277.274 cubic inches, the United States 
standard gallon is 231 inches, or 58372.1754 grains, 
or 8.3389 lbs. of distilled water maximum density. 
This is almost exactly = to a cylinder 7 inches 
diameter, 6 inches high. The beer gallon = 282 
inches. 

One gallon = 8.3389 lbs.; one quart = 2.847 lbs.; 
one pint = 1.423 lbs.; one gill = .355 lbs., U. S. 
standard measure. One cubic foot of water = 
62.3210 lbs., British weight; recent and correct 
62.278. 


No. 9. —French Measures—Length. 


Millimetre of a metre) = 

Centimetre “ “ ) = 

Decimetre ( T V “ “ ) = 

Metre (the unit of length) = 

Decametre (10 metres) = 

Hectometre (100 metres) = 

Kilometre (1000 metres) 
Myriametre (10,000 metres) = 


.03937 inch. 

.3937 “ 

3.937 

39.9708 “ or 3.2809 ft. 

32.809 ft. or 10.9363 yds. 
109.3633 yards. 

1093.63 yds. or .6138 mile. 
6.2138 miles. 


Surface. 


Centiare of an are or sq. metre = 1.1960 sq. yds. 


Are (unit of surface) 
Decare (10 ares) 
Hectare (100 ares) 


/ 119.6033 sq. yards or 
^ .0247 acre, 

f 1196.033 sq. yds. or 
t .2474 acre. 

I 11960.33 sq. yds. or 
t 2.4736 acres. 


Solid Measure. 

= 3.5317 cubic feet. 

35.3166 “ “ 

= 353.1658 “ “ 


Decistere (of a stere) 
Stere (cubic metre) 
Decastere (10 steres) 


APPENDIX. 


191 


Weight. 


Milligramme (, of a gramme) 
Centigramme ( T ^ “ ) 

Decigramme “ ) 

Gramme (unit of weight) 
Decagramme (10 grammes) 

Hectogramme (100 “ ) 


= .0154 grain. 
= .1544 “ 

= 1.544 grains. 
= 15.44 “ 

= 154.4 “ 


= 1.544 grains 


f 3.2167 ozs. 
j Troy or 
j 3.5291 ozs. 
^ Avoir. 


Kilogramme (1000 “ ) - 32| ozs. or 2.2057 pounds. 

M yriagramme (10,000 grammes) = 22.057 pounds. 


No. 10. —Specific Gravity of Metals. 
Ores, Rocks, etc. 


Platinum.16-21 

Gold.16-19.5 

Mercury .13.5 


Lead. 

Silver. 

Copper. 

Iron when pure . 
Iron, cast, average 


11.35-11.5 
10 . 1 - 11.1 
8.5-8.9 
7.78 

6.7 ; foundry 6.9 to 7 


Ores : associated with gold and silver. 


(Gold) Iron pyrites.4.8-5.2 

Copper pyrites.4.0-4.3 

(Silver) Galena.7.2—7.7 

Glance (silver).7.2-7.4 

Ruby silver (dark) . . . , .5.7-5.9 

“ “ (light).5.5-5.6 

Brittle silver (sulphide) . . * * *.5.2-6.3 

Horn silver.5.5-5.6 

Other Ores. 

Zinc blende.3.7-4.2 

Mercury (Cinnabar).8-8.99 

Tin—tinstone, cassiterite.6.4-7.6 

Tin pyrites.4.3-4.5 






















192 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Copper—Red or ruby copper ..5.7-6.15 

Gray.5.5-5.8 

Black oxide.5.2-6.3 

Pyrites .4.1-4.3 

Carbonate (Malachite).3.5-4.1 

Lead—sulphide (Galena).7.2-7.7 

Carbonate (white lead).6.4-6.6 

Zinc—Blende.3.7-4.2 

Calamine.4.0-4.5 

Iron—haematite (red).4.5-5.3 

Magnetic.4.9-5.9 

Brown haematite.3.6-4.0 

Spathic (carbonate).3.7-3.9 

Pyrites (mundic).4.8-5.2 

Antimony—gray sulphide.4.5-4.7 

Nickel—Kupfer nickel.7.3-7.5 

Cobalt—Tin-white.6.5-7.2 

Glance. 6.0 

Pyrites..4.8-5 

Bloom.2.91-2.95 

Earthy.3.15-3.29 

Manganese—Black oxide.4.7-5.0 

Wad, Bog manganese.2.0-4.6 

Bismuth—Sulphide.6.4-6.6 

Oxide. 4.3 

Minerals of Common Occurrence. 

Quartz.2.5-2.8 

Fluorspar.3.0-3.3 

Calc spar.2.5-2.8 

Barytes.4.3-4.8 

Granite ^.2 4-2.7 

Gneiss 1 

Mica slate. .2.6-2.9 

Syenite.2.7-3.0 

Greenstone trap.2.7-3.0 

Basalt.2.6-3.1 

Porphyry.2.3-2.7 

Talcose slate .2.6-2.8 

Clay slate.2.5-2.8 






































APPENDIX. 


193 


Chloritic slate.2.7-2.8 

Serpentine.2.5-2.7 

Limestone and Dolomite.2.5-2.9 

Sandstones.1.9-2.7 

Shale .2.8 


Other minerals are mentioned in the text with their specific 
gravities. 


No. 11.— A Ton Weight of the Following will 
Average in Cubic Feet: 


Earth 21 cubic feet. 

Clay 18 “ “ 

Chalk 14 “ “ 

Coarse gravel 19 “ “ 


Pit sand 22 cubic feet. 
River sand 19 “ “ 

Marl 18 “ “ 

Shingle 23 “ “ 


PROSPECTORS’ POINTERS. 

old-timer instructs the tenderfoot prospector 

ON LOCATING. 

Take a soft pine board, and a hard lead pencil, 
and the writing will sometimes outlast your claim. 
I have seen such notices that have withstood the 
storms of seven or eight years and still remain 
legible. There is a great variety of ways to write a 
notice; and nearly every prospector has his own 
way. But the briefest and most concise way is as 
good as any, and the easiest. Now, I’ll write you 
one for the Catharine this way : 

Catharine Lode. 

Notice is hereby given that I, the undersigned 
citizen of the United States, having complied with 
Chapter 36, Title 32, Revised Statutes of the United 
States, and the local regulations of Barker district, 
13 








194 prospector’s field-book and guide. 

claim by right of discovery, 1500 feet in length, and 
600 feet in width, along the mineral-bearing vein, 
to be known as the Catharine (or any other name). 

Beginning at centre of discovery shaft and run¬ 
ning : “ How far do you rim northerly ?” 

“Seven hundred feet northeast.” 

“ Seven hundred feet in a northerly direction and 
800 feet in a southerly direction.” • 

“ Always say northerly, southerly, easterly, and 
westerly in writing notices. Don’t give it any spe¬ 
cific direction. When you say ‘northerly,’ it gives 
you a chance to swing your stakes all around the 
North Pole, if necessary. You can swing your 
stakes after your location is made any way you 
want to, provided there are no conflicting claims, 
unless you change from northerly and southerly to 
easterly and westerly, or vice versa. In that case, 
you have to make an amended location and record 
it. Let’s see. Where were we? Oh, yes; together 
with 300 feet on either side of the vein. 

“Located this 18th day of June, 1891. 

“ Locator —Tenderfoot Prospector.” 

“Now that is all that is necessary to hold any 
claim, as far as the notice goes. Some prospectors 
put in a claim for all dips, spurs, angles, and varia¬ 
tions throughout the width, breadth .and depth of 
the claim; but that’s all foolishness. The law 
grants you all the spurs and angles and dips you 
want. You just go ahead and do as the law re¬ 
quires you to do, to hold any mining claim .”—Butte 
Bystander. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS 

USED IN CONNECTION WITH 

PROSPECTING, MINING, MINERALOGY, GEOLOGY, ETC. 


Adit. A nearly horizontal passage from the surface by 
which a mine is entered. In the United States an adit is 
usually called a tunnel. 

Aerolite. A stone or other body which has come to the 
earth from distant space. 

Agate. Name given to certain siliceous minerals. 

Alloy. A compound of two or more metals fused together. 

Alluvium. The earthy deposit made by running streams, 
especially in times of flood. 

Amalgamation. The production of an amalgam or alloj’’ 
of mercury; also the process in which gold and silver are 
extracted from pulverized ores by producing an amalgam 
from which the mercury is afterwards expelled. 

Amorphous. Without any crystallization or definite form. 

Anemometer. An instrument for measuring the rapidity 
of an air-current. 

Anticlinal. The line of a crest, above or under ground, on 
the two sides of which the strata dip in opposite directions. 
The converse of synclinal. 

Apex. In the U. S. Revenue Statutes, the end or edge of 
a vein nearest the surface. 

Arborescent. Of a tree-like form. 

Arenaceous. Siliceous or sandy (of rocks). 

Argentiferous. Containing silver. 

Argillaceous. Containing clay. 

(195) 



196 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Arrastre. Apparatus for grinding and mixing ores by 
means of a heavy stone dragged around upon a circular bed. 
Chiefly used for ores containing free gold. 

Assay. To test ores and minerals by chemical or blowpipe 
examination. 

Assay-ton. A weight of 29.166f grammes. 

Assessment-work. The work done annually on a mining 
ciaim to maintain possessory title. 

Auriferous. Containing gold. 

Back of a lode. The part between the roof and the surface. 

Back-shift. The second set of miners working in any spot 
each day. 

Bar. A vein or dike crossing a lode; also a sand or rock 
ridge crossing the bed of a stream. 

Bar-diggings. Gold-washing claims located on the bars 
(shallows) of a stream, and worked when the water is low, 
or otherwise with the aid of coffer-dams. 

Barrel-amalgamation. The amalgamation of silver ores 
in wooden barrels with quicksilver, metallic iron, and water. 

Basin. A natural depression of strata containing a coal 
bed or other stratified deposit; also the deposit itself. 

Battery. A set of stamps in a stamp mill comprising the 
number which fall in one mortar , usually five; also a bulk¬ 
head of timber. 

Battery-amalgamation. Amalgamation by means of mer¬ 
cury placed in the mortar. 

Bed. A seam or deposit of mineral, later in origin than 
the rock below, and older than the rock above; that is to 
say, a regular member of the series of formation, and not an 
intrusion. 

Bedded-vein. A lode occupying the position of a bed, 
that is, parallel with the stratification of the inclosing rocks. 

Bed-rock. The solid rock underlying alluvial and other 
surface formations. 

Bed-way. An appearance of stratification, or parallel 
marking, in granite. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


197 


Black flux. A mixture of charcoal and potassium car¬ 
bonate. 

Black-jack. Zinc-blende. 

Blanch. Lead ore mixed with other minerals. 

Blende. Sulphide of zinc. 

Blind level. A level not yet connected with other work¬ 
ings. 

Blossom. The oxidized or decomposed outcrop of a vein 
or coal bed. Also called smut and tailing. 

Blow-out. A large outcrop beneath which the vein is 
smaller. 

Blue-john. Fluorspar. 

Blue lead. The bluish auriferous gravel and cement de¬ 
posit found in the ancient river-channels of California. 

Bonanza. A body of rich ore. 

Booming. The accumulation and sudden discharge of a 
quantity of water (in placer mining, where water is scarce). 
See also Hushing. 

Bort. Opaque black diamond. 

Boulder. A fragment of rock brought by natural means 
from a distance, and usually large and rounded in shape. 

Brasque. A lining for crucibles; generally a compound of 
clay, etc., with charcoal dust. 

Breast. The face of a working. 

Breccia. A conglomerate in which the fragments are 
angular. 

Buddie. An inclined vat, or stationary or revolving plat¬ 
form upon which ore is concentrated by means of running 
water. 

Bullion. Uncoined gold and silver. Base bullion is pig 
lead containing silver and some gold, which are separated 
by refining. 

Burr. Solid rock. 

Button. The globule of metal remaining in a crucible at 
the end of fusion, 


198 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Cage. A frame with one or more platforms used in hoist¬ 
ing in a vertical shaft. 

Calcareous. Containing carbonate of lime. 

Calcine. To expose to heat with or without oxidation. 

Canon. A valley, usually precipitous ; a gorge. 

Cap or cap-rock. Barren vein matter, or a pinch in a 
vein, supposed to overlie ore. 

Carbonaceous. Containing carbon not oxidized. 

Carbonates. The common term in the West for ores con¬ 
taining a considerable proportion of carbonate of lead. 

Case. A small fissure admitting water into the workings. 

Cawk. Sulphate of baryta (heavy spar). 

Cement. Gravel firmly held in a siliceous matrix, or the 
matrix itself. 

Champion lode. The main vein as distinguished from 
branches. 

Chasing. Following a vein by its range or direction. 

Chert. Hornstone; a siliceous stone often found in lime¬ 
stone. 

Choke damp. Carbonic acid gas. 

Chlorides. A common term for ores containing chloride 
of silver. 

Chloridize. To convert into chloride. Applied to the 
roasting of silver ores with salt, preparatory to amalgama¬ 
tion. 

Chute. A channel or shaft underground, or an inclined 
trough above ground, through which ore falls or is “shot” 
by gravity from a higher to a lower level. 

Claim. The portion of mining ground held under the 
Federal and local laws by one claimant or association, by 
virtue of one location and record. 

Cleavage. The property of a mineral of splitting more 
easily in some directions than in others. 

Clinometer. An apparatus for measuring vertical angles, 
particularly dips. 

Cobre ores, Copper ores from Cuba, 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


199 


Color. A particle of gold found in the prospector’s pan. 

Concentration. The removal by mechanical means of the 
lighter and less valuable portions of ore. 

Conglomerate. A rock consisting of fragments of other 
rocks (usually rounded) cemented together. 

Consume. The chemical and mechanical loss of mercury 
in amalgamation. 

Contact. The plane between two adjacent bodies of dis¬ 
similar rock. A contact-vein is a vein, and a contact-bed is 
a bed, lying, the former more or less closely, the latter abso¬ 
lutely, along a contact. 

Counter. A cross vein. 

Country , or Country rock. The rock traversed by or adja¬ 
cent to an ore deposit. 

Cradle. See Rocker. 

Cranch. Part of a vein left by old workers 

Cretaceous. Chalky. 

Crevet. A crucible. 

Crevice. A shallow fissure in the bed-rock under a gold 
placer, in which small but highly concentrated deposits of 
gold are found ;*also the fissure containing a vein. 

Cribbing. Close timbering, as the lining of a shaft. 

Cribble. A sieve. 

Cropping-out. The rising of layers of rock to the surface. 

Cross-course. An intersecting (usually), a barren vein. 

Cross-cut. A level driven across the course of a vein. 

Cross-vein. An intersecting vein. 

Cupriferous. Containing copper. 

Dead-roasting. Roasting carried to the farthest practica¬ 
ble degree in the expulsion of sulphur. 

Dead-work. Work that is not directly productive, though 
it may be necessary for exploration and future production. 

Debris . The fragnents resulting from shattering and dis¬ 
integration. 


200 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Desilverization. The process of separating silver from its 
alloys. 

Desulphurization. The removal of sulphur from sulphuret 
ores. 

Diggings. Applicable to all mineral deposits and mining 
camps, but in usage in the United States applied to placer¬ 
mining only. 

Dike. A vein of igneous rock. 

Diluvium. Sand, gravel, clay, etc., in superficial deposits. 

Dip. The inclination of a vein or stratum below the hori¬ 
zontal. 

Discovery. The first finding of the mineral deposit in 
place upon a mining claim. A discovery is necessary before 
the location can be held by a valid title. The opening in 
which it is made is called discovery-shaft , discovery-tunnel , 
etc. 

Ditch. An artificial water-course, flume or canal to con¬ 
vey water for mining. 

Drift. A horizontal passage underground ; also unstrati¬ 
fied diluvium. 

Druse. A crystallized crust lining the sides of a cavity. 

Dyke. See Dike. 

Elutriation. Purification by washing and pouring oft* the 
lighter matter suspended in water, leaving the heavier por¬ 
tions behind. 

Entry. An adit. 

Erosion. The act or operation of wearing away. 

Exploitation. The productive working of a mine, as dis¬ 
tinguished from exploration. 

Face. In any adit tunnel, or stope, the end at which 
work is progressing or was last done. 

Fault. A dislocation of the strata or the vein. 

Feeder. A small vein joining a larger vein. 

Feldspathic. Containing feldspar as the principal in¬ 
gredient. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


201 


Fire-damp. Light carburetted hydrogen gas. 

Fissure-vein. A fissure in the earth’s crust filled with 
mineral. 

Float-copper. Fine scales of metallic copper which do 
not readily settle in water. 

Float-gold . Fine particles of gold which do not readily 
settle in water, and hence are liable to be lost in the ordinary 
stamp-mill process. 

Float-ore. Water-worn particles of ore ; particles of vein- 
material found on the surface, away from the vein outcrop. 

Floor. The rock underlying a stratified or nearly hori¬ 
zontal deposit; also a horizontal, flat ore body. 

Flume. A wooden conduit bringing water to a mine or 
mill. 

Flux. A salt or other mineral added in smelting to assist 
fusion by forming more fusible compounds. 

Foot-wall. The wall under the vein. 

Forfeiture. The loss of possessory title to a mine by fail¬ 
ure to comply with the laws prescribing the quantity of 
assessment work, or by actual abandonment. 

Formation. The series of rocks belonging to an age. 
period or epoch, as the Silurian formation. 

Foundershaft. The first shaft sunk. 

Free. Native, uncombined with other substances, as free 
gold or silver. 

Free-milling. Applied to ores which contain free gold or 
silver, and can be reduced by crushing and amalgamation, 
without roasting or other chemical treatment. 

Gad. A steel wedge, 

Galiage. Royalty. 

Gallery. A level or drift. 

Gangue. The mineral associated with the ore in a vein. 

Gash. Applied to a vein wide above, narrow below, and 
terminating in depth within the formation it traverses. 

Geode. A cavity, studded around with crystals or mineral 
matter, or a rounded stone containing such cavity, 


202 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Gfoaves. Old workings. 

Gopher or Gopher-drift. An irreguiar prospecting drift, 
following or seeking the ore without regard to maintenance 
of a regular grade or section. 

Gossan or Gozzan. Hydrated oxide of iron, usually found 
at the decomposed outcrop of a mineral vein. 

Gravel mine. In the United States, an accumulation of 
auriferous gravel. 

Grip. A small, narrow cavity. 

Gubbin. A kind of iron stone. 

Gullet. An opening in the strata. 

Hade. See Underlay. 

Hanging-side or Hanging-wall , or Hanger. The wall or 
side over the vein. 

Heading. The vein above a drift; also an interior level or 
air-way driven in a mine. 

Hog-back. A sharp anticlinal, decreasing in height at 
both ends until it runs out; also a ridge produced by highly 
tilted strata. 

Horse. A mass of country-rock inclosed in an ore deposit. 

Hungry. A term applied to hard barren vein matter, 
such as white quartz. 

Hushing. The discovery of veins by the accumulation 
and sudden discharge of water, which washes away the sur¬ 
face soil and lays bare the rock. See Booming. 

Hydraulicking. Washing down a bank of earth or gravel 
by the use of pipes, conveying water under high pressure. 

Igneous. Resulting from the action of fire, as, lavas and 
basalt are igneous rocks. 

Impregnation. An ore-deposit consisting of the country- 
rock impregnated with ore. 

Incline. A shaft not vertical; also a plane , not necessarily 
under ground. 

In place. Of rock, occupying, relative to surrounding 
masses, the position that it had when formed. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


203 


Irestone. Hard clay slate; hornstone; horn-blende. 

Jigging. Separating ores according to specific gravity 
with a sieve agitated up and down in water. The apparatus 
is called a jig or jigger. 

Jinny-road. A gravity plane underground. 

Jump. To take possession of a mining claim alleged to 
have been forfeited or abandoned; also, a dislocation of a 
vein. 

Keckle-meckle. The poorest kind of lead ore. 

Kibbal or kibble. An iron bucket for raising ore. 

Knits or knots. Small particles of ore. 

Lagoon. A marsh, shallow pond or lake. 

Lamina. A thin plate or scale. 

Leaching. See Lixiviation. 

Leath. Applied to the soft part of a vein. 

Level. A horizontal passage or drift into or in a mine. 

Limp. An instrument for striking the refuse from the 
sieve in washing ores. 

Litharge. Protoxide of lead. 

Lixiviation. The separation of a soluble from an insoluble 
material by means of washing with a solvent. 

Lode. A regular vein carrying metal. 

Long Tom. A kind of gold-washing cradle. 

Mainway. A gangway or principal passage. 

Mass-copper. Native copper occurring in large masses. 

Massicot. See Litharge. 

Matrix. The rock or earthy material containing a mineral 
or metallic ore; the gangue. 

Measures. Strata of coal, or the formation contaiuing 
coal beds. 

Meat-earth. The vegetable mould. 

Metamorphic, Changed in form and structure, 


204 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Mine. In general, any excavation for minerals. More 
strictly, subterranean workings, as distinguished from quar¬ 
ries , placer and hydraulic mines, and surface or open works. 

Mineral. In miners’ parlance, ore. 

Mineralized. Charged or impregnated with metalliferous 
mineral. 

Mineral-right. The ownership of the minerals under a 
given surface, with the right to enter thereon, mine and 
remove them. It may be separated from the surface owner¬ 
ship, but, if not so separated by distinct conveyance, the 
latter includes it. 

Mine-rent. The rent or royalty paid to the owner of a 
mineral right by the operator of the mine. 

Miners' inch. A local unit for the measurement of water 
supplied to hydraulic miners. It is the amount of water 
flowing under a certain head through one square inch of the 
total section of a certain opening for a certain number of 
hours daily. 

Minium,. Protosesquioxide of lead. 

Monkey-drift. A small prospecting drift. 

Muffle. A semi-cylindrical or long arched oven, usually 
small and made of fire-clay. 

Native. Occurring in nature; not artificially formed; 
usually applied to the metals. 

Nickeliferous or Niccoliferous. Containing nickel. 

Nittings. The refuse of good ore. 

Nodule or Noddle. A small round mass. 

Nugget, A lump of native metal, especially of a precious 
metal. 


Open cut. A surface working, open to daylight. 

Ore. A natural mineral compound, of the elements of 
which one at least is a metal. 

Outcrop. The portion of a vein or stratum emerging at 
the surface, or appearing immediately under the soil and 
surface debris, 


GLOSSARY OP TERMS. 


205 


Output. The product of a mine. 

Oxidation. A chemical union with oxygen. 

Panning. Washing earth or crushed rock in a pan, by 
agitation with water, to obtain the particles of greatest spe¬ 
cific gravity it contains; chiefly practiced for gold, also for 
quicksilver, diamonds and other gems. 

Parting. The separation of two metals in an alloy, es¬ 
pecially the separation of gold and silver by means of nitric 
or sulphuric acid. 

Pavement. The floor of a mine. 

Pay-streak. The zone in a vein which carries the profita¬ 
ble or pay-ore. 

Peter or peter-out. To fail gradually in size or quality. 

Phosphates. Phosphoric acid combinations. 

Pinch. To contract in width. 

Pipe or Pipe-vein. An ore-body of elongated form. 

Placer. A deposit of valuable minerai, found in particles 
in alluvium or diluvium , or beds of streams, etc. 

Plat. The map of a survey in horizontal projection. 

Plusli-copper. A fibrous red copper ore. 

Pocket. A small body of ore. 

Potstone. Compact steatite. 

Prill. A good sized piece of pure ore. 

Pryan. Ore in small pebbles mixed with clay. 

Pudding-Stone. A conglomerate in which the pebbles 
are rounded. 

Pulp-assay. The assay of samples taken from the pulp , 
i. e ., pulverized ore and water, after or during crushing. 

Putty powder. Crude oxide of tin. 

Quarry. An open or day working. 

Quartz. Crystalline silica; also, any hard gold or silver 
ore, as distinguished from gravel or earth, hence quartz-min¬ 
ing as distinguished from hydraulic, etc. 

Quartose. Containing quartz as a principal ingredient. 


206 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Quicksand. Sand which is, or becomes, upon the access 
of water, “quick,” i. e., shifting, easily movable or semi¬ 
liquid. 

Race. A small thread of spar or ore. 

Range. A mineral-bearing belt of rocks. 

Reduce. To deprive of oxygen ; also, in general to treat 
metallurgically for the production of metal. 

Refractory. Resisting the action of heat and chemical 
agents. 

Rider. See Horse. 

Riffle. A groove or interstice, or a cleat or block, so placed 
as to produce the same effect, in the bottom of a sluice, to 
catch free gold. 

Rim-rock. The bed-rock rising to form the boundary of a 
placer or gravel deposit. 

Roasting. Calcination, usually with oxidation. 

Rocker. A short trough in which auriferous sands are 
agitated by oscillation, in water, to collect their gold. 

Rolley-way. A gangway. 

Rosette copper. Disks of copper, red from the presence of 
suboxide, formed'by cooling the surface of melted copper 
through sprinkling with water. 

Royalty. The dues of a lessor or landlord of a mine, or of 
the owner of a patented invention. 

Rusty gold. Free gold which does not easily amalgamate, 
the particles being coated, as is supposed, with oxide of iron. 

Saddle. An anticlinal in a bed or flat vein. 

Saline. A salt-spring or well; salt works. 

Schist. Crystalline rock. 

Schorl. Black tourmaline. 

Seam. A stratum or bed of coal or other mineral. 

Segregate. To separate the undivided joint ownership of 
a mining claim into smaller individual “ segregated ” claims. 

Segregation. A mineral deposit formed by concentration 
from the adjacent rock. 


GLOSSARY OP TERMS. 


207 


Selvage or Self edge. A layer of clay or decomposed rock 
along a vein-wall. 

Shaft. A pit sunk from the surface. 

Shake. A cavern, usually in limestone ; also a crack in a 
block of stone. 

Shift. The time for a miner's work in one day ; also the 
gang of men working for that period, as the day-shift , the 
night-shift. 

Side-basset. A transverse direction to the line of dip in 
strata. 

Siliceous. Consisting of or containing silex or quartz. 

Slag. The vitreous mass separated from the fused metals 
in smelting ores. 

Slickensides. Polished and sometimes striated surfaces on 
the walls of a vein, or on interior joints of the vein-material 
or of rock masses.. 

Sline. Natural transverse cleavage of rock. 

Slip. A vertical dislocation of rocks. 

Slope. An inclined opening to a mine. 

Sluicing. Washing auriferous earth through long boxes 
{sluices). 

Slums. The most finely crushed ores. 

Spall or Spaivl. To break ore. Pieces of ore thus broken 
are called spalls. 

Spoon. An instrument made of an ox or buffalo horn, in 
which earth or pulp may be delicately tested by washing to 
detect gold, amalgam, etc. 

Spur. A branch leaving a vein, but not returning to it. 

Stannary. A tin mine, or tin works. 

Step-vein. A vein alternately cutting through the strata 
of country-rock and running parallel with them. 

Stockwork. An ore deposit of such a form that it is 
worked in floors or stories. 

Slope. To remove the ore. 

Stratum. A bed or layer. 


208 prospector’s field-book and guide. 


Streak. The powder of a mineral, or the mark which it 
makes when rubbed upon a harder substance. 

Striated. Marked with parallel grooves or striae . 

Strike. The direction of a horizontal line drawn in the 
middle plane of a vein or stratum not horizontal. 

String. A small vein. 

Strip. To remove from a quarry, or open working, the 
overlying earth and disintegrated or barren surface rock. 

Stull. A platform laid on timbers, braced across a work¬ 
ing from side to side, to support workmen or to carry ore or 
waste. 

Sturt. A tribute-haxg&m which turns out profitable for the 
miner. 

Sublimation. The volatilization and condensation of a 
solid substance without fusion. 

Sulphurets. In miners’ phrase, the undecomposed me¬ 
tallic ores, usually sulphides. Chiefly applied to auriferous 
pyrites. 

Synclinal. The axis of a depression of the strata ; also the 
depression itself. Opposed to anticlinal , which is the axis 
of an elevation. 

Tailings. The lighter and sandy portions of the ore on a 
buddle or in a sluice. 

Tail-race. The channel in which tidings , suspended in 
water, are conducted away. 

Throw. A dislocation or fault of a vein or stratum, which 
has been thrown up or down by the movement. 

Toadstone. A kind of trap-rock. 

Toughening. Refining, as of copper or gold. 

Trap. In miners’ parlance, any dark igneous, or appar¬ 
ently igneous, or volcanic rock. 

Tribute. A portion of ore given to the miner for his labor. 

Trogue. A wooden trough, forming a drain. 

Trow. A wooden channel for air or water. 

Tuff or Tufa. A soft sandstone or calcareous deposit. 


GLOSSARY OF TERMS. 


209 


Tunnel. A nearly horizontal underground passage, open 
at both ends to day. See Adit. 

Turn. A pit sunk in a drift. 

Underlay or Underlie. The departure of a vein or stratum 
from the vertical, usually measured in horizontal feet per 
fathom of inclined depth. 

Upcast. A lifting of a coal seam by a dike. 

Vein. See Lode. The term vein is also sometimes applied 
to small threads, or subordinate features of a larger deposit. 

Vermilion. Mercury sulphide. 

Vitreous. Glassy. 

Vug , Vugg or Vugh. A cavity in the rock, usually lined 
with a crystalline incrustation. See Geode. 

Wastrel. A tract of waste land or any waste material. 

Weathering. Changing under the effect of continued ex¬ 
posure to atmospheric agencies. 

Whim or Whimsey. A machine for hoisting by means of 
a vertical drum, revolved by horse or steam power. 

White-damp. A poisonous gas sometimes encountered in 
coal mines. 

Wild lead. Zinc blende. 

Win. To extract ore or coal. 

Winze. An interior shaft, usually connecting two levels. 

Working home. Working toward the main shaft in ex¬ 
tracting ore. 

Working out. Working away from the main shaft in ex¬ 
tracting ore. 

Zinc-scum. The zinc-silver alloy skimmed from the sur¬ 
face of the bath in the process of desilverization of lead by 
zinc. 

Zinc-white. Oxide of zinc. 

14 



INDEX 


A FRICA, diamond-bearing de¬ 
posits of, 182. 183 
Alabama, bauxite in, 157 
Alabaster, 165 
Albite. 119 

Alluvial, native gold in the, 78, 79 
Alumina, detection of, 44 
indication of, 52 
Aluminium, 154-158 
Amalgam, native, 137 
Amethyst, oriental, 155 
Amydolite, 11 

Analyses of ores, wet method, 
43-64 

Analysis, dry method of, 46 
qualitative, 46-58 
wet method, directions for, 
46-58 

Anglesite, 112 
Antimony, 158 

detection of, 44 
dry assay of, 63, 64 
indication of, 57 
Apatite, 120, 121, 161 
Aqua regia, 66 
Aqueous rocks, 12 
Areas, to measure, 36-39 
Argentite, 88 
Arizona, copper in, 104 
garnets in, 184 
ozocerite in, 177 
turquois in, 184 
Arkansas, bauxite in, 157 
manganese in, 160 
Arsenic, 161, 162 
native, 161, 162 
recognition of, by the blow¬ 
pipe, 24 

testing for, 56, 57 
Arsenical pyrites, 131 


Asbolite, 152, 153 
Asphalt, most remarkable de¬ 
posits of, 180 
native, 179-181 
Assay, definition of, 18 
dry, of ores, 58-64 
furnace, 58. 59 
Asterias. the, 155 
Avoirdupois weight, 187 
Azurite, 101, 102 

B ANCA. discovery of tin in, 117 
Barite, 165 
Basalt, 11 
Bauxite. 156. 157 
Bell metal. 117, 118 
Beryl, occurrence of, in the 
United States, 183, 184 
Billiton, discovery of tin in, 117 
Biotite. 14, 72 
Bismuth, 138 

indication of, 56 
reduction or analysis of, 64 
Bitumen. 179-181 

most remarkable deposits of, 
180 

Black band ore, 129, 130 

Hills, cassiterite of the, 121 
-jack. 124 
lead, 164 

oxide of copper, 101 
Blende. 124 
Blow-pipe, the, 15-24 

behavior of silver be¬ 
fore the, 86, 87 
blowing with the. 16, 17 
color of borax bead in 
testing with the, 22 
determination of min¬ 
erals by the, 44, 45 


( 211 ) 






212 


INDEX. 


Blow-pipe, experiments, 21-24 
how to make a. 20 
practice, requirements 
for, 15 

principal means of test¬ 
ing minerals before the, 
20 , 21 

test for nickel, 139 
testing for copper with 
the, 98 

with carbonate of soda 
on charcoal before 
the, 22-24 
tests for zinc, 126 
Blue carbonate of copper, 101, 
102 

Blue Ridge, discovery of tin ore in 
the, 121, 122 
Blueite, 142 
Borax, 15 

bead, color of the, in testing 
with the blow-pipe, 22 
recognition of metals by a 
color imparted to, 21, 22 
Bornite, 102, 103 
Brasquing, 59 

British weights and measures, 
basis of, 185 

Brittle silver ore, 89, 90 
Bromic silver, 90 
Bromyrite, 90 
Brown garnet, 120 

hematite, 128, 129 
iron ore, 128, 129 

TIADMIUM, 153 
^ indication of, 56 
Calamine, 123 

Calcite crystals, hexagonal, 29, 
30 

California, antimony in, 158 
asphalt in, 180 
diamonds in, 182 
free gold in, 69, 70 
Gulch, Col., section of strata 
showing carbonate of lead 
deposits, 111 

occurrence of cinnabar in, 
137, 138 

petroleum in, 168 
platinum in, 83, 84 


Canada, discovery of pyrrhotite 
in. 150 

Candle flame, colors of the, 17 
Carbonate of lead, 110, 111 
Carbonates, mineral, detection of, 
45 

Cassiterite, 116, 117 

of the Black Hills, 121 
Cerargyrite. 89 
Cerussite, 110, 111 
Chalcocite, 99, 100 
Chalcopyrite, 2, 100, 141 
Chromate of lead, 112, 113 
Chromic iron, 130 
Chromite, 130 

Chromium oxide, indication of, 
52, 53 
test for, 52 
Chrysocolla, 101 
Cinnabar, 137 

Claim, form of notice of a, 193, 
194 

Cleavage. 2 
Cobalt, 151-153 

and nickel ores, analysis of, 
142-150 

separation of, 148- 
150 

bloom, 152 
detection of, 44 
indication of, 54 
reduction or analysis of, 64 
wad, 152, 153 
Cobaltite, 151 

Colorado, beryl, phenacite and 
topaz in, 183, 184 
deposits of zinc sulphide in, 
124-126 

lead in, 110, 111 
petroleum in, 168 
turquois in, 184 
Columbite, 118 

Compass, Gurley’s Norwegian, 
133 

method of using the, in 
searching for iron ore, 135, 
136 

Comstock lode, brittle silver ore 
in the. 90 

east and west section 
across the, 91, 92 




INDEX. 


213 


Comstock lode, extent of the, 95 
non-metallic sub¬ 
stances of the, 93 
north and south sec¬ 
tion of the, 91-94 
Connecticut, asphalt in, 180 
Copper, and how measured in 
ores, 98-108 

bed at Dolly Hide Mine, Md., 
section of, 102 
geology of, 103-105 
glance, 99, 100 
indication of, 56 
nickel, 139, 140 
occurrence of, 98 
ore, dry assay of, 63 
properties of, 98 
pyrites, 100 

separation of, in analyzing 
nickel and cobalt ores, 143 
suggestions for the detection 
of, as an ore, 104, 105 
testing for, 98 

to obtain the per cent, of, in 
an ore, 105-108 

Cornwall, England, copper in, 103 
Corundum, 154, 155 
Crocoite, 112, 113 
Crowder’s Mount, N. C., lazulite 
found at,32 
topaz found 
at, 33 

Crucibles, 58 

lining for, 59 
Cryolite, 155, 156 
Crystallographic systems, illus¬ 
trations of, 31, 32 
Crystallography, 25-34 
Cuba, asphalt in, 180 
Cube, the, 25, 26 
Cubic feet, average, in a ton 
weight, 193 
Cupel, 58 
Cupeilation, 61-63 
Cuprite, 99 

D akota, tin in, 121 

Diamond, 182, 183 
Diamond, lustre of the, 4 
Diamonds, black, in meteoric 
iron, 33 


Dodecahedron, 27 
Dolerite, 11 

Dolly Hide mine, Md., section of 
copper bed at the, 102 
Dolomite, 163 
Drift, native gold in the, 79 
Dry assay of ores, 58-64 

method, pulverization for the, 
60, 61 

E AGLE vein, Lake Superior, 
section of the, 103 
Earth, movements of the crust 
of, 8 

Earthy cobalt, 152, 153 
Economic geology, 65 
Elaterite, 179 
Emerald nickel, 140 
oriental, 155 

Emeralds, occurrence of, in the 
United States, 183 
Emery, 155 

Emma mine, ores in the, 96, 97 
Epidote, 184 
Erubiscite, 102, 103 
Erythrite, 151, 152 
Etta mine, structure of the, 121 
tantalite in the, 118 
Eureka graphite mine, Cal., 164 
mines, limestone of the, 95, 96 
Excess, definition of, 52 

F eldspar, 163 

crystals, 30, 31 

Filtrate in analysis by the wet 
method, 51 
Fire opal, 184 

Flame, colors of the, of a candle, 
17 

oxidizing, 18 
reducing, 18 

Flames, oxidizing and reducing, 
characteristic power of, 19, 
20 

oxidizing and reducing, ex¬ 
periments with, 18 
Fluorine, detection of, in topaz, 33 
Fluorite, 163, 164 
Fluorspar, 163, 164 
Flux for melting gold and silver 
ores in a crucible, 62 





214 


INDEX. 


Foleyrite, 141 
Fracture, 2, 3 
Franklinite. 127 
French measures, 190, 191 
Furnace, assay, 58, 59 

ALENA, dry assay of, 63 
geology and form of lodes 
of, 110 

limestone, section of, show¬ 
ing how the lead occurs 
in lodes, 114 

minerals associated with, 110 
silver in, test for, 109, 110 
Galicia, East, ozocerite in, 177, 

178 

Gap mine, Lancaster Co., Penna.. 
nickel in the, 140 
mine. Lancaster Co.. Penna., 
exhaustion of, 150 
Garnet, brown, 120 
Garnets, 34 

occurrence of, in the United 
States, 184 
Garnierite, 150 

Gav Head, cliffs of clay at, 157, 
158 

Gems, occurrence of, 34 
Geological horizons, definite, 
searching for petroleum in, 172 
Geology, economic, 65 

mineralogy, mining, pros¬ 
pecting, etc., glossary of 
terms used in connection 
with, 195-209 
of copper, 103-105 
iron ores. 131-133 
lead, 113-116 
silver ores. 91-97 
practical, 8-15 
Georgia, bauxite in, 157 
diamonds in, 182 
epidote in, 184 
manganese in, 160 
Glass bottle, mode of cutting off 
the bottom of a, 49 
Glossary of terms used in coneec- 
tion with prospecting, mining, 
mineralogy, geology, etc., 195- 
209 

Gneiss, 12 


Gold, 65-82 

amalgam. 67. 68 
behavior of, under the blow¬ 
pipe. 66 
color of, 1,2 
crystallization of, 65 
discovery and extraction of, 
68 

great paying source of, 67 
how distinguished, 66, 67 
impurities of. 66 
in combination, 72. 73 

metallic sulphides, to sep¬ 
arate, 73-78 

review with additional re¬ 
marks, 78-80 
indication of, 56 
minerals accompanying, 65, 
66 

native. 66 

determination of, 43 
source of, 78. 79 
occurrence of. 65 
ores associated with, specific 
gravity of, 191 
dry assay of, 61-63 
flux for melting in a 
crucible, 62 
placer, 67 
properties of, 65 
prospecting for, in streams, 
79, 80 

rule for ascertaining the 
amount of. in a lump of 
auriferous quartz. 80-82 
section showing conditions 
under which generally 
found, 69. 70 

various forms and conditions 
of. 67, 68 

where found, 68-72 
Granite, 12-15 

metamorphic, composition of, 
72 

syenite, composition of, 72 
Granites, occurrence of tin in, 118 
Graphic granite, 13 
Graphite, 164 

Graves’s Mount, Georgia, lazulite 
found at, 32 
Gray copper, 100 




INDEX. 


215 


Green carbonate of copper, 101 
Greenland, cryolite in, 155 
Greenockite. 153 
Greenstone, 11 

Gurley’s Norwegian compass, 133 
Gypsum, 104, 165 

H ardness, 3 , 4 

scale of, 3, 4 
Harney Peak mines, 118 
Heavy spar, 165 

Heights, inaccessible, to measure, 
35, 36 

Hematite brown, 128, 129 
red. 127, 128 
Hexagonal system, 28, 29 
Horizons, geological, necessity of 
a knowledge of, 8, 9 
Horn silver. 89 
Hydrogen apparatus, 145-147 
sulphide, apparatus for pre¬ 
paring, 49-51 
precipitate from the, 51 

I DAHO silver mines, brittle sil¬ 
ver ore in, 90 
Igneous rocks, 10, 11 

formation of, 71. 72 
Illinois, order of strata in the 
lead district of, 109 
Instruction, preparatory. 1-24 
Iowa, order of strata in the lead 
district of, 109 
Iridium. 86 
Iron. 126-136 

determination of the amount 
of, in an ore, 59, 60 
meteoric, 33 
native, 126 

ore, valuable, in Jefferson 
Co.. N. Y., condemnation 
of. 5 

ores, geology of, 131-133 
of Lake Superior, geologic 
horizons around the, 128 
pyrites. 2, 130, 131 

gold in, to separate, 73- 
78 

separation of. in analyzing 
nickel and cobalt ores, 144 
sesquioxide, indication of, 53 


Iron, use of the magnetic needle 
in prospecting for, 133-136 
Isometric system, 25-27 
Itacolumite, 182 

T ACINTH. form of the, 28 
" Jack’s tin, 142 
Jefferson Co , N. Y., condemna¬ 
tion of valuable iron ore in, 5 

K aolin. 154 

Kentucky, diamonds in, 182 
petroleum in, 168 

L AKE SUPERIOR copper re¬ 
gion, section of strata in, 103. 
Lapis lazuli. 32 
Lazulite, 32 
Lead and tin. 109-122 

deposit in fissure in lime¬ 
stone, section of a. 115 
district of Wisconsin, Illinois 
and Iowa, order of strata 
in the, 109 
geology of. 113-116 
indication of, 48 
lode in micaceous slate in 
mine, near Middletown, 
Conn., 110 
occurrence of, 109 
ochre, 113 

ore, dry assay of, 63 
properties of. 109 
separation of, in analyzing 
nickel and cobalt ores, 142, 
143 

sulphate, indication of, 55 
veins, circulation of water 
in, 114, 115 
Length, English, 185 
French, 190 

particular measures of, 186 
Lime, detection of. 44 

phosphate of. 120, 121, 161 
Limestone, section of a lead de¬ 
posit in fissure in, 115 
Limonite, 128, 129 
Line, inaccessible, to measure a, 
39-41 

Linnadte, 152 
Loadstone, 126 



216 


INDEX. 


Lustre, 4 

M agnesia, detection of, 44 
Magnetic needle, use of the, 
in prospecting for iron, 
133-136 
Magnetite, 126 
Malachite, 101 
Manganese, 158-161 

carbonate of, indication of, 
54 

chromate, 160 
detection of, 44 
ores, classification of, 158 
reduction or analysis of, 64 
Massicot, 113 
Measure, solid, 186 

French, 190 
surface, 186 

French, 190 

Measures and weights, British, 
basis of, 185 
correction of, 
185-193 

French, 190, 191 
Mercury, 137, 138 
detection of, 45 
dry assay of, 63 
indication of, 48 
native, 137 

oxide, indication of, 55 
Metallic sulphides, to separate 
gold in, 73-78 
Metals, native, 1 

various forms of, 1 
recognition of, by a color 
imparted to borax, 21, 22 
Metamorphic rocks, 11, 12 

formation of, 71 
Meteoric iron, 33 
Meteorites, nickel in, 139 
Mica, 165, 166 
schist, 12 

Middletown, Conn., lead lode in 
micaceous slate in mine near, 
110 

Millerite, 140 

Mine La Motte, Mo., linnaeite at, 
153 

Mineral Hill, Md., linnaeite from, 
152 


Mineral specimens, actual, value 
of, 65 

trying the hardness of a, 4 
Minerals accompanying gold, 65, 
66 

associated with galena, 110 
platinum, 83 
breaking of, 2 
cleavage of, 2 

composition of, indicated by 
their forms, 25 
fracture of, 2, 3 
hardness of, 3, 4 
lustre of, 4 

necessity of a knowledge of 
rocks associated with, 6 
of common occurrence, spe¬ 
cific gravity of, 192, 193 
principal means of testing, 
before the blow-pipe, 20, 
21 

streak of, 3 
weight and form of, 5 
Mineralogy, geology, prospecting, 
mining, etc., glossary of 
terms used in connection 
with, 195-209 
special, 65-82 
technical, 1, 65 
definition of, 6 

Mining, mineralogy, geology, pros¬ 
pecting, etc., glossary of terms 
used in connection with, 195- 
209 

Mispickel, 131 
Missouri, linnaeite from, 152 
Molybdenite, 166 
Molybdenum, 166 
Monoclinic system, 30, 31 
Montana, deposits of zinc sulphide 
in, 124-126 

Mud volcanoes, indicative of pe¬ 
troleum, 172 
Muffle, 58 
Muscovite, 14 


'M'ATIVE amalgam, 137 
•*-’ Natural gas, indicative 
petroleum, 172 
New Caledonia, discovery 
nickel in, 150 


of 

of 



INDEX. 


217 


New Jersey, section of strata of 
zinc mines near Sparta, 
124, 125 

New Mexico, turquois in, 184 
York, asphalt in, 180, 181 
Nickel, 139-142 

and cobalt ores, analysis of, 
142-150 

separation of, 148-150 
arsenide, 139, 140 
detection of, 44 
discovery of, in New Cale¬ 
donia, 150 
indication of, 54 
main ore of, 150 
reduction or analysis of, 64 
-steel armor, importance of, 
150 

testing for, with the blow¬ 
pipe, 139 
Nicolite, 139, 140 
Nitromuriatic acid, 66 
North Carolina, diamonds in, 182 
manganese in, 161 
petroleum in, 168 

0 BSIDIUM, 11 
Octahedron, 27 
Ore, copper, dry assay of, 63 

determination of the amount 
of iron in an, 59, 60 
lead, dry assay of, 63 
method of using the compass 
in searching for, 135, 136 
tin, dry assay of, 63 
to obtain the per cent, of 
copper in an, 105-108 
Oregon, fire opal in, 184 
Ores,analyses of,wet method,43 64 
associated with gold and sil¬ 
ver, specific gravity of, 191 
cobalt and nickel, analysis 
of, 142-150 

copper, how measured in, 
98-108 

dry assay of, 58-64 
flux for melting, in a cru¬ 
cible, 62 

gold, dry assay of, 61-63 
nickel and cobalt, analysis 
of, 142-150 


Ores,preliminary examinations of, 
43 

silver, dry assay of, 61-63 
specific gravity of, 191-193 
Oriental amethyst, 155 
emerald, 155 
ruby, 155, 183 
topaz, 155 
Orpiment, 162 
Orthoclase, 14, 30, 163 
Orthorhombic system, 29, 30 
Oxford, Warren Co., N. J., mag¬ 
netic survey made at, 133 
Oxidizing flame, 18 
Ozocerite, 177-179 

minerals allied to, 178, 179 
properties of, 179 

P ALLADIUM, 86 
Peat, 181 

Pennsylvania, petroleum in, 168 
Petroleum, 168-177 

crude, occurrence of, 168 
indications of, 168-170 
occurrence of, in beds, 173— 
175 

outfit in prospecting for, 168 
quality of, 177 
tracing the strata of outcrops 
of, 173-175 

vein-like occurrence of, 175— 
177 

water-test for, 170 
Phenacite, occurrence of, in the 
United States, 183, 184 
Phillips’s rule for ascertaining 
the amount of gold in a lump 
of auriferous quartz, 80-82 
Phosphate of lead, 112 

lime, 120, 121, 161 
Pilot Knob, Mo., section of, 132, 
133 

Placer gold, 67 
Plaster of Paris, 165 
Platiniridium, 86 
Platinum, 83-86 

chemical test of, 84, 85 
how to distinguish, 84 
indication of, 56 
largest nugget of, 84 
minerals associated with, 83 



218 


INDEX. 


Platinum, occurrence of, 83 
properties of, 83 
Plumbago, 164 
Porphvritic granite, 14 
Potash feldspar, 14, 30 
Potassium cyanide, 16 
Practical geology, 8-15 
Precious stones. 182-184 
Preparatory instruction, 1-24 
Prism compass. 41, 42 
Prospecting, mining, mineralogy, 
geology, etc., glossary of terms 
used in connection with, 195- 
209 

Prospectors’ pointers, 193, 194 
Psilomelane, 159, 160 
Pyrite, 2 

Pyrites, arsenical, 131 
copper, 100 
iron, 130, 131 
tin, 117. 118 

variegated copper, 102, 103 
Pyromorphite, 112 
Pyropissite, 179 
Pyrrhotite, 141, 159 

discovery of, in Canada, 150 

Q ualitative analysis, 46-58 
Quartz, auriferous, 79 

rule for ascertain¬ 
ing the amount 
of gold in a lump 
of, 80-82 

crystals, hexagonal, 29 
rocks, origin of, 68, 69 
Quicksilver, 137, 138 

ED copper ore. 99 
hematite, 127, 128 
oxide of zinc, 124 
silver ore, 90 
Reducing flame, 18 
Retinite, 179 
Rhodochrosite, 160 
Roasting, 18 
Rock, azoic. 7 
igneous. 7 
salt, 166, 167 
Rocks, aqueous. 12 

associated with minerals, ne¬ 
cessity of a knowledge of, 6 


Rocks, classification of, 9 
definition of, 9, 10 
horizons of, 7 
igneous. 10, 11 
igneous, formation of, 71, 72 
laid down under water, 10 
metamorphic, 11, 12 
formation of, 71 
quartz, origin of. 68, 69 
specific gravity of. 191-193 
stratified, table of. 9 
universally accepted rela¬ 
tions of, 10 
volcanic, 10 

Rubies, occurrence of, in the 
United States, 183 
Ruby, copper, 99 

crystallization of, 33 
oriental, 155. 183 

gar nets,confounded with, 
34 

silver, 90 

S VLSES, indicative of petro¬ 
leum, 172 

Saltiel, E. H.. report of, on zinc 
deposits in Colorado, 125, 126 
Sandstone, 12 
flexible, 182 

oil-bearing, fresh fracture of, 
170 

Sandstones, examination of, 45 
Sapphire, 155 

crystallization of, 33 
Sapphires, occurrence of, in the 
United States, 183 
Satin spar, 165 
Scale of hardness, 3, 4 
Scales. 60 
Seorifiers, 58 

Scranton, W. II., summary by, 
of indications from the mag¬ 
netic needle in searching for 
iron ore, 133-136 
Selenite, 165 
Siderite, 129 
Silicate of copper, 101 
Silver, 86-97 

behavior of, before the blow¬ 
pipe, 86. 87 
chemical test of, 87 




INDEX. 


219 


Silver, glance, 88 
indication of, 48 
in galena, test for, 109, 110 
native. 86 

determination of, 43 
occurrence of, 97 
ores, associated with, specific 
gravity of, 191 
dry assay of, 61-63 
flux for melting in a cru¬ 
cible, 62 

geology of, 91-97 
principal source of, 88 
properties of, 86 
sulphides, 88 
Smaltite, 139. 151 
Smithsonite, 123 
Soapstone. 167 

Soda, carbonate of. on charcoal, 
testing with, 22-24 
drv carbonate of, preparation 
of, 15 

Solid measure, French, 190 
Sparta, N. J., section of strata of 
zinc mines near. 124, 125 
Spathic iron ore, 129 
Special mineralogy. 65-82 
weights, 189. 190 
Specific gravity, how to find, 189 
of metals, ores, rocks, 
etc.. 191-193 
weights by, 187-189 
Specular ore, 127, 128 
Sperrylite, 84 
Sphalerite. 124 
Square prismatic, 27 
Stannous chloride, preparation of, 
85, 86 

Steatite, 167 
Stephanite, 89, 90 
Sterling Iron Mines, N. Y., mil- 
lerite in the, 140 
Stibnite, 158 
Streak. 3 

metallic. 3 
Stream tin. 116 

Sudbnry. Canada, nickel in, 141 
Sulphate of lead, 112 
Sulphide of mercury. 137 
tin, 117. 118 
zinc, 124 


Sulphides, metallic, to separate 
gold in, 73-78 
silver. 88 
Sulphur, 167 

indication of, 56 
recognition of, by the blow¬ 
pipe, 24 

Surface measure. 186 
French, 190 
Surveying. 35-42 
Swampy puddles, examination of, 
for petroleum, 171, 172 
Syenite granite, 14 

composition of, 72 

T alc, i67 

Tantalite. 118 
Tennessee, asphalt in, 181 
manganese in, 160, 161 
Tetragonal system, 27, 28 
Tetrahedrite, 100 
Texas, ozocerite in, 177 
Thomas’s Mountains, Utah, topaz 
found at, 33 

Thomson. A. M.. blowpipe experi¬ 
ments given by, 21-24 
Thrice-inclined svstem, 31 
Tin, 116-122 

and lead,109-122 
deposits, home of, 121, 122 
detection of, 44 
indication of. 57 
occurrence of, in granites, 
118 

ore, dry assay of, 63 
pyrites, 117, 118 
Titanium, detection of, 45 
Toad’s eye tin. 116 
Ton weight, average cubic feet in 
a. 193 

Topaz, crystallization of. 33 

occurrence of. in the United 
States, 183, 184 
oriental, 155. 

Trachyte. 10, 11 
Traps. 11 

Triclinic system. 31 
Trinidad, asphalt in, 180 
Troy weight. 186 
Turquois, 32, 184 





220 


INDEX. 


U LTRAMARINE, 32 

United States, asphalt in the, 
180, 181 

beryl, plienacite and 
topaz in the, 183, 
184 

bismuth in the, 138 
cryolite in the, 155 
diamonds in the, 182 
garnets in the, 184 
ozocerite in the, 177 
rubies,emeralds,and 
sapphires in the, 
183 

Ural Mountains, structure of, 70 
Uranium, 118, 119 

detection of, 44, 45 
Utah, asphalt in, 180 
ozocerite in, 177 


in, for petroleum, 170, 
171 

Water-test for petroleum, 170 
Weight, avoirdupois, 187 
French, 191 
troy, 186 
Weighiug, 60 

Weights and measures, British, 
basis of, 185 
correction of, 185- 
193 

by specific gravity, 187-189 
special. 189, 190 

West Virginia, petroleum in, 168 
Whartonite, 141, 142 
Wisconsin, order of strata in the 
lead district of, 109 
Wolframite, 119, 120 
Wood tin, 116 


V ARIEGATED copper pyrites, 
102, 103 

Vermont, manganese in. 161 
Virginia, diamonds in, 182 
manganese in, 160 
Vitreous copper, 99, 100 
Volcanic rocks, 10 


W 


AD, 158, 159 

Water courses, prospecting 


yiNC, 123-126 
^ blow-pipe tests for, 126 
carbonate, 123 
chief ores of, 123, 124 
detection of, 44 
geology of, 124 
reduction or analysis of, 64 
silicate, 123 
Zincite, 124 
Zircon, form of the, 28 



COLLECTION OF MINERALS AND ROCKS 

Prepared by DR. A. E. FOOTE, 

TO ILLUSTRATE 

OSBORN’S 

Prospector’s Field Book and Gdide. 


GOLD. 

1. Gold in Quartz. 

2. Gold ore, pyritiferous. 

SILVER. 

3. Silver. 

4. Argentite. 

5. Cerargyrite. 

6. Pyrargyrite, ruby silver. 

COPPER. 

7. Copper, native. 

8. Cuprite, red oxide. 

9. Chalcocite, copper glance. 

10. Tetrahedrite, gray copper. 

11. Chalcopyrite, copper pyrites. 

12. Chrysocolla. silicate. 

13. Mel aconite, black oxide. 

14. Malachite green carbonate. 

15. Azurite, blue carbonate. 

16. Bornite, variegated pyrites. 

LEAD. 

17. Galena, sulphide, (cryst). 

18. “ (granular, argentif.) 

19. Cerussite, carbonate. 

20. Anglesite, sulphate. 

21. Pyromorphite, phosphate. 

TIN. 

22. Cassiterite, oxide, (cryst). 

23. “ “ toad’s eye tin. 

24. “ “ stream tin. 

25. Stannite, sulphide. 

RARE METALS. 

26. Columbite. 

27. Wolframite. 

28. Rutile. 

29. Zircon. 

30. Greenockite. 

ZINC. 

31. Smithsonite, carbonate. 

32. Calamine, silicate. 

33. Zincite, oxide. 

34. Sphalerite, sulphide. 

IRON. 

35. Iron, meteoric. 

36. Magnetite, oxide, granular. 

37. “ lodestone. 

38. Franklinite, (cryst). 

39. Hematite, specular ore, (cryst). 


’ 40. Hematite, specular ore, massive. 

! 41. Limonite, brown ore. 

42. “ “ “ (botryoidal). 

i 43. Siderite, spathic ore. 

| 44. Chromite, chromic ore. 

| 45. Pyrite, (crystal). 

! 46. “ (massive). 

' 47. Arsenopyrite, mispickel. 

MERCURY, ETC. 

48. Mercury, native. 

49. Cinnabar, mercury sulphide. 

50. Bismuth. 

NICKEL AND COBALT. 

51. Smaltite. 

52. Niccolite, arsenide of nickel. 

53. Zaratite, emerald nickel. 

54. Millerite, sulphide of nickel. 

| 55. Pyrrhotite, niccoliferous pyrite. 

56. Cobaltite. 

ALUMINIUM. 

57. Corundum, (crystal). 

58. “ emery. 

59. Cryolite. 

60. Bauxite. 

ANTIMONY. 

| 61. Antimony, native. 

62. Stibnite, sulphide. 

MANGANESE. 

| 63. Wad, bog manganese. 

64. Pyrolusite, oxide. 

65. Psilomelane, oxide. 

66. Rhodochrosite, carbonate. 

Gems and Other Useful Minerals, 
Some of Which are Found 
with Ores. 

67. Apatite. 

68. “ phosphate rock. 

69. Arsenic. 

70. Realgar. 

71. Orpiment. 

72. Dolomite, (cryst). 

73. “ (massive). 

74. Epidote. 

75. Orthoclase, feldspar, (cryst). 

76. “ “ (cleavage). 

77. Albite, soda feldspar. 

78. Fluorite. 





79. Cal cite. 

80. Graphite, plumbago. 

81. Gypsum, plaster. 

82. “ selenite. 

83. “ satin spar. 

84. Barite. 

85. Celestite. 

86. Muscovite, mica. 

87. Molybdenite. 

88. Halite, rock salt. 

89. Sulphur. 

90. Talc, soapstone. 

91. Elaterite, elastic bitumen. 

92. Asphaltum, bitumen. 

93. Diamond. 

94. Emerald. 

95. Sapphire. 

96. Ruby. 

97. Topaz. 

98. Garnet, pyrope. 

99. Opal, tire. 

100. Turquois. 


ROCKS. 

101. Trachyte. 

102. Basalt. 

103. Greenstone. 

104. Obsidian. 

105. Gneiss. 

106. Mica schist. 

107. Granite. 

108. Graphic granite. 

109. Porphyry. 

110. Syenite. 

111. Amphibole rock. 

112. Quartzite. 

113. Sandstone. 

114. Conglomerate. 

115. Limestone. 

116. Lithographic stone. 

117. Chlontic schist. 

118. Talcose schist. 

119. Shale. 

120 . serpentine. 


In selecting specimens for the prospector and student from our enormous 
stock of minerals, the main object in view is to represent the different species 
by examples which illustrate the types and forms most often encountered 
in the field, and these collections, which are arranged compactly in neat 
hardwood compartment cases, have therefore a thoroughly practical value. 

Where practicable crystallized specimens are furnished and all are accur¬ 
ately labelled. They will be found indispensable to all who wish to familiar¬ 
ize themselves with minerals. Three sizes are offered : 

No. 1. 120 Specimens. Aver*gi"g 2x2 inches. $16 00. {Hand¬ 
some black-walnut case fitted with best quality pasteboard, trays, $6.00 extra.) 

No. 2. 120 Specimens. Averaging L%xl l A inches. $11.00. {Neat, 

strong hardwood cases for same, $2.U0 extra.) 

No. 3. 120 Specimens. Averaging lXxl'4 inches. $7.00. {Cases 
$ 1.60 extra) 

The following series will be found useful to the student: 

No. 4. Blowpipe Collection ot 70 Small Specimens in Hardwood 
Case. Numbered to correspond to list, arranged to include all species 
recommended by Dana, Von Kobell and Brush. $3.50. 

No 5. Blowpipe < olleetion of 35 Suecunens in rase. Numbered to 
correspond to Dana’s list (given in “ Minerals and How to Study Them.”) 
$1 50. 

No 6. Crystallographic Series of 25 Specimens to Illustrate the 
Six Systems of Crystallization. In case. $3.00. 

No. 7. Hardness Seri s Ten specimens, including file and diamond. 
In case. $1.75. (Without diamond, $1.0 '.) 

In ordering please mention advertisement in 2d edition of this book. 


FURNISHED BY 

Dr. A. ED. FOOTE, 

MINERALS, SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL BOOKS, 

1224-26-28 N. 41st Street, Philadelphia, Pa„ U. S. A. 


FOR 

“ COLLECTIONS OR MINERALS” 

First Prizes were awarded us at the World’s Expositions of Philadelphia, 
New Orleans, London and Paris. 

Thf, Lahgest Stock of Minerals in the World. 

Illustrated Mineral Catalogue; also Catalogues of Books on any subject of 
Science or Medicine, mailed free. 


































































































CALCJLLOGrTTIEi 


OF 

practical and Scientific Boo^ 

PUBLISHED BY 



INDUSTRIAL PUBLISHERS, BOOKSELLERS AND IMPORTERS. 

810 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. 


4 ©=* Any of the Books comprised in this Catalogue will he sent by mail, free of 
postage, to any address in the world, at the publication prices, 

A Descriptive Catalogue, 90 pages, 8vo., will be sent free and free of postage* 
to any one in any part of the world, who will furnish his address. 

Where not otherwise stated, all of the Books in this Catalogue are bound 
in muslin. 


AMATEUR MECHANICS’ WORKSHOP: 

A treatise containing plain and concise directions for the manipula¬ 
tion of Wood and Metals, • including Casting, Forging, Brazing, 
Soldering and Carpentry. By the author of the “ Lathe and Its 
Uses.” Seventh edition. Illustrated. 8 vo. . . . $ 2.50 

ANDRES.—A Practical Treatise on the Fabrication of Volatile 
and Fat Varnishes, Lacquers, Siccatives and Sealing 
Waxes. 

From the German of Erwin Andres, Manufacturer of Varnishes 
and Lacquers. With additions on the Manufacture and Application 
of Varnishes, Stains for Wood, Horn, Ivory, Bone and Leather. 
From the German of Dr. Emil Winckler and Louis E. Andes. 
The whole translated and edited by William T. Brannt. With 11 
illustrations. i2mo. ....... $2.50 

ARLOT.—A Complete Guide for Coach Painters: 

Translated from the French of M. Arlot, Coach Painter, for 
eleven years Foreman of Painting to M. Eherler, Coach Maker, 
Paris. By A. A. Fesquet, Chemist and Engineer. To which is 
added an Appendix, containing Information respecting the Materials 
and the Practice of Coach and Car Painting and Varnishing in the 
United States and Great Britain. J2mo. . . . $1.25 


/V * 


(0 






2 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


ARMENGAUD, AMOROUX, AND JOHNSON.—The Practi- 
cal Draughtsman’s Book of Industrial Design, and Ma-- 
chinist’s and Engineer’s Drawing Companion : 

Forming a Complete Course of Mechanical Engineering and Archi¬ 
tectural Drawing. From the French of M. Armengaud the elder, 
Prof, of Design in the Conservatoire of Arts and Industry, Paris, and 
MM. Armengaud the younger, and Amcroux, Civil Engineers. Re¬ 
written and arranged with additional matter and plates, selections from 
and examples of the most useful and generally employed mechanism 
of the day. By William Johnson, Assoc. Inst. C. E, Illustrated 
by fifty folio steel plates, and fifty wood-cuts. A new edition, 4to., 
half morocco ......... $7.50- 

ARM STRONG.—The Construction and Management of Steam 
Boilers : 

By R. Armstrong, C. E. With an Appendix by Robert Mallet, 
C. E., F. R. S. Seventh Edition. Illustrated. 1 vol. i2mo. 75 

ARROWSMITH,—Paper-Hanger’s Companion: 

A Treatise in which the Practical Operations of the Trade are 
Systematically laid down: with Copious Directions Preparatory to 
Papering; Preventives against the Effect of Damp, on Walls; the 
various Cements and Pastes Adapted to the Several Purposes oi 
the Trade; Observations and Directions for the Panelling and 
Ornamenting of Rooms, etc. By James Arrowsmith. i2mo., 
cloth.$1.00 

ASHTON.—The Theory and Practice of the Art of Designing 
Fancy Cotton and Woollen Cloths from Sample : 

Giving full instructions for reducing drafts, as well as the methods of 
spooling and making out harness for cross drafts and finding any re¬ 
quired reed; with calculations and tables of yarn. By Frederic T. 
Ashton, Designer, West Pittsfield, Mass. With fifty-two illustrations. 
One vol. folio ........ $6.00 

aSKINSON.—P erfumes and their Preparation : 

A Comprehensive Treatise on Perfumery, . containing Complete 
Directions for Making Handkerchief Perfumes, Smelling-Salts,. 
Sachets, Fumigating Pastils; Preparations for the Care of the Skin,, 
the Mouth, the Hair; Cosmetics, Hair Dyes, and other Toilet 
Articles. By G. W. Askinson. Translated from the German by IsiDOR 
Furst. Revised by Charles Rice. 32 Illustrations. 8vo. $3.00 
BAIRD.—Miscellaneous Papers on Economic Questions. 

By Henry Carey Baird. [In preparation.') 

BAIRD.—The American Cotton Spinner, and Manager’s and 
Carder's Guide: 

A Practical Treatise on Cotton Spinning; giving the Dimensions and 
Speed of Machinery, Draught and Twist Calculations, etc.; with 
notices of recent Improvements: together with Rules and Examples 
for making changes in the sizes and numbers of Roving and Yarn. 
Compiled from the papers of the late Robert H. Baird. i2mo. 




HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


3 


BAIRD.—Standard Wages Computing Tables : 

An Improvement in all former Methods of Computation, so arranged 
that wages for days, hours, or fractions of hours, at a specified rate 
per day or hour, may be ascertained at a glance. By T. Spangler 

Baird. Oblong folio. $S.oo 

BAKER.—Long-Span Railway Bridges: 

Comprising Investigations of the Comparative Theoretical and 
Practical Advantages of the various Adopted or Proposed Type 
Systems of Construction; with numerous Formulae and Tables. By 

B. Baker. i2mo. .$1.50 

BAKER.—The Mathematical Theory of the Steam-Engine: 
With Rules at length, and Examples worked out for the use of 
Practical Men. By T. Baker, C. E., with numerous Diagrams. 
Sixth Edition, Revised by Prof. J. R. Young. i2mo. . 75 

BARLOW.—The History and Principles of Weaving, by 
Hand and by Power: 

Reprinted, with Considerable Additions, from “ Engineering,” with 
a chapter on Lace-making Machinery, reprinted from the Journal of 
the “Society of Arts.” By Alfred Barlow. With several hundred 

illustrations. 8vo., 443 pages $10.00 

BARR.—A Practical Treatise on the Combustion of Coal: 
Including descriptions of various mechanical devices for the Eco¬ 
nomic Generation of Heat by the Combustion of Fuel, whether solid, 

liquid or gaseous. 8vo.$2.50 

BARR.—A Practical Treatise on High Pressure Steam Boilers: 
Including Results of Recent Experimental Tests of Boiler Materials, 
together with a Description of Approved Safety Apparatus, Steam 
Pumps, Injectors and Economizers in actual use. By Wm. M. Barr. 
204 Illustrations. 8vo. ...... $3.00 

BAUERMAN.—A Treatise on the Metallurgy of Iron : 

Containing Outlines of the History of Iron Manufacture, Methods of 
Assay, and Analysis of Iron Ores, Processes of Manufacture of Iron 
and Steel, etc., etc. By H. Bauerman, F. G. S., Associate of the 
Royal School of Mines. Fifth Edition, Revised and Enlarged. 
Illustrated with numerous Wood Engravings from Drawings by J. B. 

Jordan. i2mo.$2.oc 

BAYLES.—House Drainage and Water Service: 

In Cities, Villages and Rural Neighborhoods. With Incidental Con. 
sideration of Certain Causes Affecting the Healthfulness of Dwell¬ 
ings. By James C. Bayles, Editor of “ The Iron Age ” and “ The 
Metal Worker.” With numerous illustrations. 8vo. cloth, 

BEANS.—A Treatise on Railway Curves and Location of 
Railroads: 

By E. W. Beans, C. E. Illustrated. i2mo. Tucks . $1.50 

BECKETT.—A Rudimentary Treatise on Clocks, and Watches 
and Bells : 

By Sir Edmund Beckett, Bart., LL. D., Q. C. F. R. A. S. With 
numerous illustrations. Seventh Edition, Revised and Enlarged. 
l2mo. $2.25 







4 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


BELL.—Carpentry Made Easy: 

Or, The Science and Art of Framing on a New and Improved 
System. With Specific Instructions for Building Balloon Frames, Barn 
Frames, Mill Frames, Warehouses, Church Spires, etc. Comprising 
also a System of Bridge Building, with Bills, Estimates of Cost, and 
valuable Tables. Illustrated by forty-four plates, comprising nearly 


200 figures. By William E. Bell, Architect and Practical Builder. 

8vo..$5-oo 

BEMROSE.—Fret-Cutting and Perforated Carving: 

With fifty-three practical illustrations. By W. Bemrose, Jr. I vol. 
quarto .......... $2.50 

BEMROSE.—Manual of Buhl-work and Marquetry: 

With Practical Instructions for Learners, and ninety colored designs. 
By W. Bemrose, Jr. i vol. quarto .... $3.00 

BEMROSE.—Manual of Wood Carving: 


With Practical Illustrations for Learners of the Art, and Original and 
Selected Designs. By William Bemrose, Jr. With an Intro¬ 
duction by Llewellyn Jewitt, F. S. A., etc. With 128 illustra¬ 
tions, 4to..#2.50 

BILLINGS.—Tobacco: 

Its History, Variety, Culture, Manufacture, Commerce, and Various 
Modes of Use. By E. R. Billings. Illustrated by nearly 200 
engravings. 8vo. ........ $3-oc 

BIRD.—The American Practical Dyers’ Companion: 

Comprising a Description of the Principal Dye-Stuffs and Chemicals 
used in Dyeing, their Natures and Uses; Mordants, and How Made; 
with the best American, English, French and German processes for 
Bleaching and Dyeing Silk, Wool, Cotton, Linen, Flannel, Felt. 
Dress Goods, Mixed and Hosiery Yarns, Feathers, Grass, Felt, Fur, 
Wool, and Straw Hats, Jute Yarn, Vegetable Ivory, Mats, Skins, 
Furs, Leather, etc., etc. By Wood, Aniline, and other Processes, 
together with Remarks on Finishing Agents, and Instructions in the 
Finishing of Fabrics, Substitutes for Indigo, Water-Proofing of 
Materials, Tests and Purification of Water, Manufacture of Aniline 
and other New Dye Wares, Harmonizing Colors, etc., etc.; embrac¬ 
ing in all over 800 Receipts for Colors and Shades, accompanied by 
I 7° Dyed Samples of Raw Materials and Fabrics. By F. J. Bird, 
Practical Dyer, Author of “The Dyers’ Hand-Book.” 8vo. $10.00 

BLINN.—A Practical Workshop Companion for Tin, Sheet- 
Iron, and Copper-plate Workers : 

Containing Rules for describing various kinds of Patterns used by 
Tin, Sheet-Iron and Copperplate Workers; Practical Geometry; 
Mensuration of Surfaces and Solids; Tables of the Weights of 
Metals, Lead-pipe, etc.; Tables of Areas and Circumference* 
of Circles; Japan, Varnishes, Lackers, Cements, Compositions, etc., 
etc. By Leroy J. Blinn, Master Mechanic. With One Hundred 
and Seventy Illustrations. i2mo. . . , . . $2.50 




HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


5 


BOOTH.—Marble Worker’s Manual: 

Containing Practical Information respecting Marbles in general, their 
Cutting, Working and Polishing; Veneering of Marble; Mosaics; 
Composition and Use of Artificial Marble, Stuccos, Cements, Receipts, 
Secrets, etc., etc. Translated from the French by M. L. Booth. 
With an Appendix concerning American Marbles. l2mo., cloth $1.50 
BOOTH and MORFIT.—The Encyclopaedia of Chemistry, 
Practical and Theoretical: 

Embracing its application to the Arts, Metallurgy, Mineralogy, 
Geology, Medicine and Pharmacy. By James C. Booth, Melter 
and Refiner in the United States Mint, Professor of Applied Chem¬ 
istry in the Franklin Institute, etc., assisted by Campbell Morfit, 
author of “ Chemical Manipulations,” etc. Seventh Edition. Com¬ 
plete in one volume, royal 8vo., 978 pages, with numerous wood-cuts 
and other illustrations ' . . . . . . „ $3*5° 

BRAMWELL.—The Wool Carder’s Vade-Mecum -. 

. A Complete Manual of the Art of Carding Textile Fabrics. By W» 
C. Bramwell. Third Edition, revised and enlarged. Illustrated. 
Pp. 400. i2mo. ........ $2.50 

BRANNT.—A Practical Treatise on Animal and Vegetable 
Fats and Oils : 

Comprising both Fixed and Volatile Oils, their Physical and Chemi¬ 
cal Properties and Uses, the Manner of Extracting and Refining 
them, and Practical Rules for Testing them; as well as the Manu¬ 
facture of Artificial Butter, Lubricants, including Mineral Lubricating 
Oils, etc., and on Ozokerite. Edited chiefly from the German of 
Drs. Karl Schaedler, G. W. Askinson, and Richard Brunner, 
with Additions and Lists of American Patents relating to the Extrac¬ 
tion, Rendering, Refining, Decomposing, and Bleaching of P"ats and 
Oils. By William T. Brannt. Illustrated by 244 engravings. 

739 pages. 8vo.$12.50 

BRANNT.—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture of Soap 
and Candles : 

Based upon the most Recent Experiences in the Practice and Science; 
comprising the Chemistry, Raw Materials, Machine v, and Utensils 
and Various Processes of Manufacture, including a great variety of 
formulas. Edited chiefly from the German of Dr. C. Deite, A. 
Engelhardt, Dr. C. Schaedler and others; with additions and lists 
of American Patents relating to these subjects. By Wm. T. Brannt. 
Illustrated by 163 engravings. 677 pages. 8vo. . . $ 7 - 5 ° 

BRANNT.—A Practical Treatise on the Raw Materials and the 
Distillation and Rectification of Alcohol, and the Prepara¬ 
tion of Alcoholic Liquors, Liqueurs, Cordials, Bitters, etc. : 
Edited chiefly from the German of Dr. K. Stammer, Dr. F. Eisner, 
and E. Schubert. By Wm. T. Brannt. Illustrated by thirty-one 
engravings. 121110. . $2*5° 




6 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


BRANNT—WAHL.—The Techno-Chemical Receipt Book: 

Containing several thousand Receipts covering the latest, most 
portant, and most useful discoveries in Chemical Technology, an(f 
their Practical Application in the Arts and the Industries. Edited- 
chiefly from the German of Drs. Winckler, Eisner, Heintze, Mier- 
zinski, Jacobsen, Koller, and Heinzerling, with additions by Wm. ' 1 . 
Brannt and Wm. H. Wahl, Ph. D. illustrated by 78 engravings, 
ismo. 495 pages . ... $2.00 

BROWN.—Five Hundred and Seven Mechanical Movements: 
Embracing all those which are most important in Dynamics, Hy¬ 
draulics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, Steam-Engines, Mill and other 
Gearing, Presses, Horology and Miscellaneous Machinery; and in¬ 
cluding many movements never before published, and several of 
which have only recently come into use. By Henry T. Brown. 

l2mo.' $1.00 

BUCKMASTER.—The Elements of Mechanical Physics : 

By J. C. Buckmaster. ' Illustrated with numerous engravings. 
i2mo. . . . . . . . . . $1.00. 

BULLOCK. — The American Cottage Builder: 

A Series of Designs, Plans and Specifications, from $200 to $20,000, 
for Homes for the People; together with Warming, Ventilation, 
Drainage, Painting and Landscape Gardening. By John Bullock, 
Architect and Editor of “ The Rudiments of Architecture and 
Building,” etc., etc. Illustrated by 75 engravings. 8vo. $3.00 
BULLOCK.—The Rudiments of Architecture and Building: 

For the use of Architects, Builders, Draughtsmen, Machinists, En¬ 
gineers and Mechanics. Edited by John Bullock, author of “ The 
American Cottage Builder.” Illustrated by 250 Engravings. 8vo. $3.00 
BURGH.—Practical Rules for the Proportions of Modem 
Engines and Boilers for Land and Marine Purposes. 

By N. P. Burgh, Engineer. i2mo. .... $1.50 

BYLES.—Sophisms of Free Trade and Popular Political 
Economy Examined. 

By a Barrister (Sir John Barnard Byles, Judge of Common 
Pleas). From the Ninth English Edition, as published by the 
Manchester Reciprocity Association. i2mo. . . . $1.25 

BOWMAN.—The Structure of the Wool Fibre in its Relation 
to the Use of Wool for Technical Purposes: 

Being the substance, with additions, of Five Lectures, delivered at 
the request of the Council, to the members of the Bradford Technical 
College, and the Society of Dyers and Colorists. By F. IT. Bow¬ 
man, D. Sc., F. R. S. E., F. L. S. Illustrated by 32 engravings. 

8v0 * ..$6.50 

BYRNE.—Hand-Book for the Artisan, Mechanic, and Engi¬ 
neer : 

Comprising the Grinding and Sharpening of Cutting Tools, Abia-.ve 
Processes, Lapidary Work, Gem and Glass Engraving, Varnishing 
and Lackering, Apparatus, Materials and Processes for Grinding and 





HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


7 


Polishing, etc. By Oliver Byrne. Illustrated by 185 wood en¬ 
gravings. 8 vo.$5.00 

BYRNE.—Pocket-Book for Railroad and Civil Engineers : 

Containing New, Exact and Concise Methods for Laying out Railroad 
Curves, Switches, Frog Angles and Crossings; the Staking out of 
work ; Levelling; the Calculation of Cuttings ; Embankments; Earth¬ 
work, etc. By Oliver Byrne. i8mo., full bound, pocket-book 

form.#1.75 

BYRNE.—The Practical Metal-Worker’s Assistant: * 

Comprising Metallurgic Chemistry; the Arts of Working all Metal* 
and Alloys; Forging of Iron and Steel; Hardening and Tempering; 
Melting and Mixing; Casting and Founding ; Works in Sheet Metal; 
the Processes Dependent on the Ductility of the Metals; Soldering; 
and the most Improved Processes and Tools employed by Metal- 
Workers. With the Application of the Art of Electro-Metallurgy to 
Manufacturing Processes; collected from Original Sources, and from 
the works of Holtzapffel, Bergeron, Leupold, Piumi^r, Napier, 
Scoffern, Clay, Fairbairn and others. By Oliver Byrne. A new, 
revised and improved edition, to which is added an Appendix, con¬ 
taining The Manufacture of Russian Sheet-Iron. By John Percy, 
M. D., F. R. S. The Manufacture of Malleable Iron Castings, and 
Improvements in Bessemer Steel. By A. A. Fesquet, Chemist and 
Engineer. With over Six Hundred Engravings, Illustrating every 

Branch of the Subject. 8vo.$5.00 

BYRNE.—The Practical Model Calculator: 

For the Engineer, Mechanic, Manufacturer of Engine Work, Naval 
Architect, Miner and Millwright. By Oliver Byrne. 8vo., nearly 


600 pages ... ......' $3.00 

CABINET MAKER’S ALBUM OF FURNITURE: 

Comprising a Collection of Designs for various Styles of Furniture. 
Illustrated by Forty-eight Large and Beautifully Engraved Plates, 
Oblong, 8vo. ........ $ 2.00 

CALLINGHAM.—Sign Writing and Glass Embossing: 

A Complete Practical Illustrated Manual of the Art.* By James 
Callingham. i2mo.$ 1 - 5 ° 


CAMPIN.—A Practical Treatise on Mechanical Engineering: 

Comprising Metallurgy, Moulding, Casting, Forging, Tools, Work¬ 
shop Machinery, Mechanical Manipulation, Manufacture of Steam- 
Engines, etc. With an Appendix on the Analysis of Iron and Iron 
Ores. By Fp ANCIS Campin, C. E. To which are added, Observations 
on the Construction of Steam Boilers, and Remarks upon Furnaces 
used for Smoke Prevention; with a Chapter on Explosions. By R. 
Armstrong, C. E., and John Bourne. Rules for Calculating the 
Change Wheels for Screws on a Turning Lathe, and for a Wheel*/ 
cutting* Machine. By J. La Nicca. Management of Steel, Includ¬ 
ing Forging, Hardening, Tempering, Annealing, Shrinking and 
Expansion ; and the Case-hardening of Iron. By G. Ede. 8vo. 
Illustrated with twenty-nine plates and 100 wood engravings $5.00 





HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


8 


CAREY.—A Memoir of Henry C. Carey. 

By Dr. Wm. Elder, With a portrait. 8 vo., cloth . . 75 

CAREY.—The Works of Henry C. Carey: 

Harmony of Interests : Agricultural, Manufacturing and Commer. 

cial. 8 vo. ..... . . $1.25 

Manual of Social Science. Condensed from Carey’s “ Principles 
of Social Science.” By Kate McKean, i vol. i2mo. . $2.00 

Miscellaneous Works. With a Portrait. 2 vols. 8vo. $10.00 

Past, Present and Future. 8vo.$2.50 

Principles of Social Science. 3 volumes, 8vo. . . $7.50 

The Slave-Trade, Domestic and Foreign; Why it Exists, and 
How it may be Extinguished (1853). 8vo. . . . $ 2.00 

The Unity of Law: As Exhibited in the Relations of Physical, 
Social, Mental and Moral Science (1872). 8vo. . . $2.50 

CLARK.—Tramways, their Construction and Working: 

Embracing a Comprehensive History of the System. With an ex» 
haustive analysis of the various modes of traction, including horse¬ 
power, steam, heated water and compressed air; a description of the 
varieties of Rolling stock, and ample details of cost and working ex¬ 
penses. By D. Kinnear Clark. Illustrated by over 200 wood 
engravings, and thirteen folding plates. I vol. 8vo. . $9.00 

COLBURN.—The Locomotive Engine: 

Including a Description of its Structure, Rules for Estimating its 
Capabilities, and Practical Observations on its Construction and Man¬ 
agement. By Zerah Colburn. Illustrated. i2mo. . $i.oa 

COLLENS.—The Eden of Labor; or, the Christian Utopia. 

By T. Wharton Collens, author of “ Humanics,” “ The History 
of Charity,” etc. i2mo. Paper cover, $1.00; Cloth . $1.25 

COOLEY.—A Complete Practical Treatise on Perfumery: 

Being a Hand-book of Perfumes, Cosmetics and other Toilet Articles. 
With a Comprehensive Collection of Formulae. By Arnold J. 
Cooley. i2mo. ........ $1.50 

COOPER.—A Treatise on the use of Belting for the Trans- 
missioh of Power. 

With numerous illustrations of approved and actual methods of ar*- 
ranging Main Driving and Quarter Twist Belts, and of Belt Fasten¬ 
ings. Examples and Rules in great number for exhibiting and cal¬ 
culating the size and driving power of Belts. Plain, Particular and 
Practical Directions for the Treatment, Care and Management o r 
Belts. Descriptions of many varieties of Beltings, together with 
chapters on the Transmission of Power by Ropes; by Ijon and 
Wood Frictional Gearing; on the Strength of Belting Leather; and 
on the Experimental Investigations of Morin, Briggs, and others. By 
John H. Cooper, M. E. 8vo. ...... $3.50 

CRAIK.—The Practical American Millwright and Miller. 

By David Craik, Millwright. Illustrated by numerous wood en¬ 
gravings and two folding plates. 8vo. ...» $3.50 




HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


9 


CROSS.—The Cotton Yarn Spinner : 

Showing how the Preparation should be arranged for Different 
Counts of Yarns by a System more uniform than has hitherto been 
practiced; by having a Standard Schedule from which we make all 
our Changes. By Richard Cross. 122 pp. i2mo. . 75 

CRISTIANI.—A Technical Treatise on Soap and Candles: 

With a Glance at the Industry of Fats and Oils. By R. S. Cris- 
TiANi, Chemist. Author of “ Perfumery and Kindred Arts.” Illus¬ 
trated by 176 engravings. 581 pages, 8vo. . . . #15.00 

COAL AND METAL MINERS’ POCKET BOOK: 

Of Principles, Rules, Formulae, and Tables, Specially Compiled 
and Prepared for the Convenient Use of Mine Officials, Mining En¬ 
gineers, and Students preparing themselves for Certificates of Compe¬ 
tency as Mine Inspectors or Mine Foremen. Revised and Enlarged 
edition. Illustrated, 565 pages, small i2mo., cloth. . #2.00 

Pocket book form, flexible leather with flap . . #2.75 

DAVIDSON.—A Practical Manual of House Painting, Grain¬ 
ing, Marbling, and Sign-Writing: 

Containing full information on the processes of House Painting in 
Oil and Distemper, the Formation of Letters and Practice of Sign- 
Writing, the Principles of Decorative Art, a Course of Elementary 
Drawing for House Painters, Writers, etc., and a Collection of Useful 
Receipts. With nine colored illustrations of Woods and Marbles, 
and numerous wood engravings. By Ellis A. Davidson. i2mo. 

#3.00 

DAVIES.—A Treatise on Earthy and Other Minerals and 
Mining: 

By D. C. Davies, F. G. S., Mining Engineer, etc. Illustrated by 
76 Engravings. l2mo. ...... . $5 00 

DAVIES.—A Treatise on Metalliferous Minerals and Mining: 

By D. C. Davies, F. G. S , Mining Engineer, Examiner of Mines, 
Quarries and Collieries. Illustrated by 148 engravings of Geological 
Formations, Mining Operations and Machinery, drawn from the 
practice of all parts of the world. Fifth Edition, thoroughly Revised 
and much Enlarged by his son, E. Henry Davies. i2mo., 524 
pages ....... • $ 5 -°° 

DAVIES.—A Treatise on Slate and Slate Quarrying: 

Scientific, Practical and Commercial. By D. C. Davies, F. G. S., 
Mining Engineer, etc. With numerous illustrations and folding 
plates. i2mo. $2.00 

DAVIS.—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture of Brick, 
Tiles and Terra-Cotta : 

Including Stiff Clay, Dry Clay, Hand Made, Pressed or Front, and 
Roadway Paving Brick, Enamelled Brick, with Glazes and Colors, 
Fire Brick and Blocks, Silica Brick, Carbon Brick, Glass Pots, Re- 



IO 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


torts, Architectural Terra-Cotta, Sewer Pipe, Drain Tile, Glazed and 
Unglazed Roofing Tile, Art Tile, Mosaics, and Imitation of Intarsia 
or Inlaid Surfaces. Comprising every product of Clay employed in 
Architecture, Engineering, and the Blast Furnace. With a Detailed 
Description of the Different Clays employed, the Most Modern 
Machinery, Tools, and Kilns used, and die Processes for Handling, 
Disintegrating, Tempering, and Moulding the Clay into Shape, Dry¬ 
ing, Setting, and Burning. By Charles Thomas Davis. Third Edi¬ 
tion. Revised and in great part rewritten. Illustrated by 261 
engravings. 662 pages ....... $5-00 

DAVIS.—A Treatise on Steam-Boiler Incrustation and Meth¬ 
ods for Preventing Corrosion and the Formation of Scale: 
By Charles T. Davis. Illustrated by 65 engravings. 8 vo. $1.50 
DAVIS.—The Manufacture of Paper: 

Being a Description of the various Processes for the Fabrication, 
Coloring and Finishing of every kind of Paper, Including the Dif¬ 
ferent Raw Materials and the Methods for Determining their Values, 
the Tools, Machines and Practical Details connected with an intelli¬ 
gent and a profitable prosecution of the art, with special reference to 
the best American Practice. To which are added a History of Pa¬ 
per, complete Lists of Paper-Making Materials, List of American 
Machines, Tools and Processes used in treating the Raw Materials, 
and in Making, Coloring and Finishing Paper. By Charles T. 
Davis. Illustrated by 156 engravings. 608 pages, 8vo. $6.00 

DAVIS.—The Manufacture of Leather: 

Being a description of all of tl Processes for the Tanning, Tawing, 
Currying, Finishing and Dyeing of every kind of Leather ; including 
the various Raw Materials and the Methods for Determining their 
Values; the Tools, Machines, and all Details of Importance con¬ 
nected with an Intelligent anti Profitable Prosecution of the Art, with 
Special Reference to the Best American Practice. To which are 
added Complete Lists of all American Patents for Materials, Pro¬ 
cesses, Tools, and Machines for Tanning, Currying, etc. By Charles 
Thomas Davis. Illustrated by 302 engravings and 12 Samples of 
Dyed Leathers. One vol., 8vo., 824 pages . . . $25.00 

DAWIDOWSKY—BRAN NT.—A Practical Treatise on the 
Raw Materials and Fabrication of Glue, Gelatine, Gelatine 
Veneers and Foils, Isinglass, Cements, Pastes, Mucilages, 
etc. : 

Based upon Actual Experience. By F. Dawidowsky, Technical 
Chemist. Translated from the German, with extensive additions, 
including a description of the most Recent American Processes, by 
William T. Brannt, Graduate of the Royal Agricultural College 
of Eldena, Prussia. 35 Engravings. i2mo. . . . $2.50 

DE GRAFF.—The Geometrical Stair-Builders’ Guide: 

Being a Plain Practical System of Hand-Railing, embracing all its 
necessary Details, and Geometrically Illustrated by twenty-two Steel 
Engravings; together with the use of the most approved principle! 
of Practical Geometry. By Simon De Graff, Architect. 410. 

$2.50 



HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. n 


DE KONINCK—DIETZ.—A Practical Manual of Chemical 
Analysis and Assaying: 

As applied to the Manufacture of Iron from its Ores, and to Cast Iron, 
Wrought Iron, and Steel, as found in Commerce. By L. L. Dk 
Koninck, Dr. Sc., and E. Dietz, Engineer. Edited with Notes, by 
Robert Mallet, F. R. S., F. S. G., M. I. C. E., etc. American 
Edition, Edited with Notes and an Appendix on Iron Ores, by A. A. 
Fesquet, Chemist and Engineer. i2mo. . . . #1.50 

DUNCAN.— Practical Surveyor’s Guide: 

Containing the necessary information to make any person of corm 
mon capacity, a finished land surveyor without the aid of a teacher 
By Andrew Duncan. Revised. 72 engravings, 214pp. i2mo. #1.50 
DUPLAIS.—A Treatise on the Manufacture and Distillation 
of Alcoholic Liquors: 

Comprising Accurate and Complete Details in Regard to Alcohol 
from Wine, Molasses, Beets, Grain, Rice, Potatoes, Sorghum, Aspho 
del. Fruits, etc.; with the Distillation and Rectification of Brandy. 
Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Swiss Absinthe, etc., the Preparation of Aro¬ 
matic Waters, Volatile Oils or Essences, Sugars, Syrups, Aromatic 
Tinctures, Liqueurs, Cordial Wines, Effervescing Wines, etc., the 
Ageing of Brandy and the improvement of Spirits, with Copio «9 
Directions and Tables for Testing and Reducing Spirituous Liquors, 
etc., etc. Translated and Edited from the French of MM. Duplais, 
Aine et Jeune. By M. McKennie, M. D. To which are added the 
United States Internal Revenue Regulations for the Assessment and 
Collection of Taxes on Distilled Spirits. Illustrated by fourteen 
folding plates and several wood engravings. 743 pp. 8vo. $10 00 
DUSSAUCE.—Practical Treatise on the Fabrication of Matches, 
Gun Cotton, and Fulminating Powder. 

Bv Professor H. Dussauce. i2mo. . . . . $3 oa 

DYER AND COLOR-MAKER’S COMPANION: 

Containing upwards of two hundred Receipts for making Colors, on 
the most approved principles, for all the various styles and fabrics now 
in existence; with the Scouring Process, and plain Directions for 
Preparing, Washing-off, and Finishing the Goods. i2mo. $1.00 
EDWARDS.—A Catechism of the Marine Steam-Engine, 

For the use of Engineers, Firemen, and Mechanics. A Practical 
Work for Practical Men. By Emory Edwards, Mechanical Engi¬ 
neer. Illustrated by sixty-three Engravings, including examples of 
the most modern Engines. Third edition, thoroughly revised, with 
much additional matter. 12 mo. 414 pages . . . $200 

EDWARDS.—Modern American Locomotive Engines, 

Their Design, Construction and Management. By Emory Edwards* 
Illustrated i2mo. . . . • • • • • $2.00 

EDWARDS.—The American Steam Engineer: 

Theoretical and Practical, with examples of the latest and most ap¬ 
proved American practice in the design and construction of Steam 
Engines and Boilers. For the use of engineers, machinists, boiler¬ 
makers, and engineering students. By Emory Edwards. Fully 
illustrated, 419 pages. i2mo. * $2.£Q 






12 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


EDWARDS.—Modern American Marine Engines, Boilers, an<S 
Screw Propellers, 

Their Design and Construction. Showing the Present Practice ot 
the most Eminent Engineers and Marine Engine Builders in the 
United States. Illustrated by 30 large and elaborate plates. 4to. $5.00 
CDWARDS.—The Practical Steam Engineer’s Guide 
In the Design, Construction, and Management of American Stationary, 
Portable, and Steam Fire-Engines, Steam Pumps, Boilers, Injectors* 
Governors, Indicators, Pistons and Rings, Safety Valves and Steam 
Gauges. For the use of Engineers, Firemen, and Steam Users. By 
Emory Edwards. Illustrated by 119 engravings. A20 pages. 
i2mo. .......... $2 50 

EISSLER.—The Metallurgy of Gold: 

A Practical Treatise on the Metallurgical Treatment of Gold-Bear' 
ing Ores, including the Processes of Concentration and Chlorination, 
and the Assaying, Melting, and Refining of Gold. By M. Eissler. 
With 132 Illustrations. l2mo. ..... $ 5.00 

EISSLER.—The Metallurgy of Silver : 

A Practical Treatise on the Amalgamation, Roasting, and Lixiviation 
of Silver Ores, including the Assaying, Melting, and Refining of 
Silver Bullion. By M. Eissler. 124 Illustrations. 336 pp. 
i2mo. .......... $4.25 

ELDER.—Conversations on the Principal Subjects of Political 
Economy. 

By Dr. William Elder. 8vo. $2.50 

ELDER.—Questions of the Day, 

Economic and Social. By Dr. William Elder. 8vo. . $ 3.00 
ERNI.—Mineralogy Simplified. 

Easy Methods of Determining and Classifying Minerals, including 
Ores, by means of the Blowpipe, and by Humid Chemical Analysis, 
based on Professor von Kobell’s Tables for the Determination of 
Minerals, with an Introduction to Modern Chemistry. By Henry 
Erni, A.M., M.D., Professor of Chemistry. Second Edition, rewritten, 
enlarged and improved. i2mo. ..... &3-OC 

FAIRBAIRN.—The Principles of Mechanism and Machinery 
of Transmission * 

Comprising the Principles of Mechanism, Wheels, and Pulleys, 
Strength and Proportions of Shafts, Coupling of Shafts, and Engag- 
ing and Disengaging Gear. By Sir William Fairbairn, Bart. 
C. E. Beautifully illustrated by over 150 wood-cuts. In one 

volume, i2mo .. . $2.50 

FLEMING.—Narrow Gauge Railways in America. 

A Sketch of their Rise, Progress, and Success. Valuable Statistics 
as to Grades, Curves, Weight of Rail, Locomotives, Cars, etc. By 

Howard Fleming. Illustrated, 8vo.|i 00 

FORSYTH.—Book of Designs for Headstones, Mural, and 
other Monuments: 

Containing 78 Designs. By James Forsyth. With an Introduction 
by Charles Bgutell, M. A. 4 to., cloth . . - $5 00 






HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 13 


FRANKEL—HUTTER.—A Practical Treatise on the Manu* 
facture of Starch, Glucose, Starch-Sugar, and Dextrine: 

Based on the German of Ladislaus Von Wagner, Professor in the 
Royal Technical High School, Buda-Pest, Hungary, and other 
authorities. By Julius Frankel, 'Graduate of the Polytechnic 
School of Hanover. Edited by Robert Hutter, Chemist, Practical 
Manufacturer of Starch-Sugar. Illustrated by 58 engravings, cover¬ 
ing every branch of the subject, including examples of the most 
Recent and Best American Machinery. 8vo., 344 pp. . $3.50 

GARDNER.—The Painter’s Encyclopaedia: 

Containing Definitions of all Important Words in the Art of Plain 
and Artistic Painting, with Details of Practice in Coach, Carriage, 
Railway Car, House, Sign, §.nd Ornamental Painting, including' 
Graining, Marbling, Staining, Varnishing, Polishing, Lettering, 
Stenciling, Gilding, Bronzing, etc. By Franklin B. Gardner. 
158 Illustrations. i2mo. 427 pp. ..... $2.00 

GARDNER.—Everybody’s Paint Book: 

A Complete Guide to the Art of Outdoor and Indoor Painting, De¬ 
signed for the Special Use of those who wish to do their own work, 
and consisting of Practical Lessons in Plain Painting, Varnishing, 
Polishing, Staining, Paper Hanging, Kalsomining, etc., as well as 
Directions for Renovating Furniture, and Hints on Artistic Work for 
Home Decoration. -38 Illustrations. i2mo., 183 pp. ‘ . $i.oo 

GEE.—The Goldsmith’s Handbook: 

Containing full instructions for the Alloying and Working of Gold, 
including the Art of Alloying, Melting, Reducing, Coloring, Col 
lecting, and Refining; the Processes of Manipulation, Recovery of 
Waste; Chemical and Physical Properties of Gold; with a New 
System of Mixing its Alloys; Solders, Enamels, and other Useful 
Rules and Recipes. By George E. Gee. i2mo. „ . $1.75 

GEE.—The Silversmith’s Handbook : 

Containing full instructions for the Alloying and Working of Silver, 
including the different modes of Refining and Melting the Metal; its 
Solders; the Preparation of Imitation Alloys; Methods of Manipula¬ 
tion ; Prevention of Waste; Instructions for Improving and Finishing 
the Surface of the Work; together with other Useful Information and 
Memoranda. By George E. Gee. Illustrated. i2mo. $1.75 
GOTHIC ALBUM FOR CABINET-MAKERS: 

Designs for Gothic Furniture. Twenty-three plates. Oblong $ 2.00 
GRANT.—A Handbook on the Teeth of Gears : 

Their Curves, Properties, and Practical Construction. By George 
B. Grant. Illustrated. Third Edition, enlarged. 8vo. $i 00 

GREENWOOD.—Steel and Iron: 

Comprising the Practice and Theory of the Several Methods Pur¬ 
sued in their Manufacture, and of their Treatment in the Rolling- 
Mills, the Forge, and the Foundry. By William Henry Green¬ 
wood, F. C. S. With .97 Diagrams, 536 pages. i2mo. #2.00 



14 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


GREGORY.—Mathematics for Practical Men : 

Adapted to the Pursuits of Surveyors, Architects, Mechanics, and 
Civil Engineers. By Olinthus Gregory. 8vo., plates $3.oa 

GRISWOLD.—Railroad Engineer’s Pocket Companion for tht 
Field: 

Comprising Rules for Calculating Deflection Distances and Angles, 
Tangential Distances and Angles, and all'Necessary Tables for En 
gineers; also the Art of Levelling from Preliminary Survey to the 
Construction of Railroads, intended Expressly for the Young En¬ 
gineer, together with Numerous Valuable Rules and Examples. By 

W. Griswold. i2mo„ tucks.$ I - 7 £ 

GRUNER.—Studies of Blast Furnace Phenomena: 

By M. L. Gruner, President of the General Council of Mines oi 
France, and lately Professor of Metallurgy at the Ecole des Mines. 
Translated, with the author’s sanction, with an appendix, by L. D. 
B. Gordon, F. R. S. E., F. G. S. 8vo. . . . $2.50 

Hand-Book of Useful Tables for the Lumberman, Farmer and 
Mechanic: 

Containing Accurate Tables of Logs Reduced to Inch Board Meas. 
ure, Plank, Scantling and Timber Measure; Wages and Rent, by 
Week or Month; Capacity of Granaries, Bins and Cisterns; Land 
Measure, Interest Tables, with Directions for Finding the Interest on 
any sum at 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 per cent., and many other Useful Tables. 
32 mo., boards. 186 pages ...... .25 

IIASERICK.—The Secrets of the Art of Dyeing Wool, Cotton* 
and Linen, 

Including Bleaching and Coloring Wool and Cotton Hosiery and 
Random Yarns. A Trealise based on Economy and Practice. By 
E. C. Haserick. Illustrated by 323 Dyed Patterns of the Yarnt 
or Fabrics. 8vo. ........ $7-50 

HATS AND FELTING: 

A Practical Treatise on their Manufacture. By a Practical Flatter, 
Illustrated by Drawings of Machinery, etc. 8vo. . . $1.2$ 

HOFFER.—A Practical Treatise on Caoutchouc and Gutta 
Percha, 

Comprising the Properties of the Raw Materials, and the manner of 
Mixing and Working them; with the Fabrication of Vulcanized and 
Hard Rubbers, Caoutchouc and Gutta Percha Compositions, Water, 
proof Substances, Elastic Tissues, the Utilization of Waste, etc., etc, 
From the German of Raimund Hoffer. By W. T. Brannt. 

Illustrated i2mo. . ..$2.50 

HAUPT.—Street Railway Motors: 

With Descriptions and Cost of Plants and Operation of the Varioui 
Systems now in Use. i2mo. ..... $ 1-75 






HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 




HAUPT—RHAWN.—A Move for Better Roads: 

Essays on Road-making and Maintenance and Road Laws, for 
which Prizes or Honorable Mention were Awarded through the 
University of Pennsylvania by a Committee of Citizens of Philadel¬ 
phia, with a Synopsis of other Contributions and a Review by the 
Secretary, Lewis M. Haupt, A. M., C. E.; also an Introduction by 
William H. Rhawn, Chairman of the Committee. 319 pages* 

8vo.. $2.00 

HUGHES.—American Miller and Millwright’s Assistant: 

By William Carter Hughes. i2mo.$1.50 

HULME.—Worked Examination Questions in Plane Geomet ¬ 
rical Drawing : 

For the Use of Candidates for the Royal Military Academy, Wool¬ 
wich; the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; the Indian Civil En¬ 
gineering College, Cooper’s Hill ; Indian Public Works and Tele¬ 
graph Departments; Royal Marine Light Infantry; the Oxford and 
Cambridge Local Examinations, etc. By F. Edward Hulme, F. L. 
S., F. S. A., Art-Master Marlborough College. Illustrated by 300 

examples. Small quarto. $2.50 

JERVIS.—Railroad Property: 

A Treatise on the Construction and Management of Railways; 
designed to afford useful knowledge, in the popular style, to the 
holders of this class of property; as well as Railway Managers, Offi¬ 
cers, and -Agents. By John B. Jervis, late Civil Engineer of the 
Hudson River Railroad, Croton Aqueduct, etc. i2mo., cloth $2.oc 
KEENE.—A Hand-Book of Practical Gauging: 

For the Use of Beginners, to which is added a Chapter on Distilla¬ 
tion, describing the process in operation at the Custom-House for 
ascertaining the Strength of Wines. By James B. Keene, of H. M. 
Customs. 8vo. $i - 2 5 

KELLEY.—Speeches, Addresses, and Letters on Industrial and 
Financial Questions: 

By Hon. William D. Kelley, M. C. 544 pages, 8vo. . $2.50* 

KELLOGG.—A New Monetary System : 

The only means of Securing the respective Rights of Labor and 
Property, and of Protecting the Public from Financial Revulsions. 
By Edward Kellogg. Revised from his work on “ Labor and 
other Capital.” With numerous additions from his manuscript. 
Edited by Mary Kellogg Putnam. Fifth edition. To which h 
added a Biographical Sketch of the Author. One volume, I2mo. 
Paper cover . . . - • • • • • $ 100 

Bound in cloth. I,2 S 

KEMLO.— Watch-Repairer’s Hand-Book: 

Bein^ a Complete Guide to the Young Beginner, in Taking Apart, 
Putting Together, and Thoroughly Cleaning the English Lever and 
other Foreign Watches, and all American Watches. By F. Kemlo, 
Practical Watchmaker. With Illustrations. i2mo. . $1.25 



i6 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


KENTISH.—A Treatise on a Box of Instruments, 

And the Slide Rule; with the Theory of Trigonometry and Loga 
rithms, including Practical Geometry, Surveying, Measuring of Tim¬ 
ber, Cask and Malt Gauging, Heights, and Distances. By Thoma* 
Kentish. In one volume. i2mo. . . . . $1.25 

KERL.—The Assayer’s Manual: 

An Abridged Treatise on the Docimastic Examination of Ores, and 
Furnace and other Artificial Products. By Bruno Kerl, Professor 
in the Royal School of Mines. Translated from the German by 
William T. Brannt. Second American edition, edited with Ex¬ 
tensive Additions by F. Lynwood Garrison, Member of the 
American Institute of Mining Engineers, etc. Illustrated by 87 en¬ 
gravings. 8vo.$3.00 

KICK.—Flour Manufacture. 

A Treatise on Milling Science and Practice. By Frederick Kick 
Imperial Regierungsrath, Professor of Mechanical Technology in the 
imperial German Polytechnic Institute, Prague. Translated from 
the second enlarged and revised edition with supplement by H. H. 
P. Powles, Assoc. Memb. Institution of Civil Engineers. Illustrated 
with 28 Plates, and 167 Wood-cuts. 367 pages. 8vo. . #10.00 

KINGZETT.—The History, Products, and Processes of the 
Alkali Trade : 

Including the most Recent Improvements. By Charles Thomas 
Kingzett, Consulting Chemist. With 23 illustrations. 8vo. #2.50 
KIRK.—The Founding of Metals: 

A Practical Treatise on the Melting of Iron, with a Description of the 
Founding of Alloys; also, of all the Metals and Mineral Substances 
used in the Art of Founding. Collected from original sources. By 
Edward Kirk, Practical Foundryman and Chemist. Illustrated. 
Third edition. 8vo. ....... #2.50 

LANDRIN.—A Treatise on Steel: 

Comprising its Theory, Metallurgy, Properties, Practical Working, 
and Use. By M. H. C. Landrin, Jr., Civil Engineer. Translated 
from the French, with Notes, by A. A. Fesquet, Chemist and En 
gineer. With an Appendix on the Bessemer and the Martin Pro- 
^ses for Manufacturing Steel, from the Report of Abram S. Hewitt 
United States Commissioner to the Universal Exposition, Paris, 1867. 

l2mo.$3-00 

LANGBEIN.—A Complete Treatise on the Electro-Deposition 
of Metals: 

Translated from the German, with Additions, by Wm. T. Brannt. 
125 illustrations. 8vo. ....... #4.00 

GARDNER.—The Steam-Engine: 

For the Use of Beginners. Illustrated. i2mo. . . . 73 

LEHNER.-The Manufacture of Ink: 

Comprising the Raw Materials, and the Preparation df Writing, 
Copying and Hektograph Inks, Safety Inks, Ink Extracts and Pow¬ 
ders, etc. Translated from the German of Sigmund Lehner, with 
additions by William T. Brannt. Illustrated. j2mo. #2.00 




HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


1 7 


LARKIN.—The Practical Brass and Iron Founder’s Guide; 

A Concise Treatise on Brass Founding, Moulding, the Metals and 
their Alloys, etc.; to which are added Recent Improvements in the 
Manufacture of Iron, Steel by the Bessemer Process, etc., etc. By 
Tames Larkin, late Conductor of the Brass Foundry Department ia 
Keany, Neafie & Co.’s Penn Works, Philadelphia. New edition, 
revised, with extensive additions. i2mo. . . . $2.50 

LEROUX.—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture of 
Worsteds and Carded Yarns : 

Comprising Practical Mechanics, with Rules and Calculations applied 
to Spinning; Sorting, Cleaning, and Scouring Wools; the English 
and French Methods of Combing, Drawing, and Spinning Worsteds, 
and Manufacturing Carded Yarns. Translated from the French of 
Charles Leroux, Mechanical Engineer and Superintendent of a 
9 pinning-Mill, by Horatio Paine, M. D., and A. A. Fesquet, 
Chemist and Engineer. Illustrated by twelve large Plates. To which 
is added an Appendix, containing Extracts from the Reports of the 
International Jury, and of the Artisans selected by the Committee 
appointed by the Council of the Society of Arts, London, on* Woolen 
and Worsted Machinery and Fabrics, as exhibited in the Paris Uni* 
versal Exposition, 1867. 8vo. ..... $5.00 

LEFFEL. —The Construction of Mill-Dams ; 

Comprising also the Building of Race and Reservoir Embankments 
and Head-Gates, the Measurement of Streams, Gauging of Water 
Supply, etc. By James Leffel & Co. Illustrated by 58 engravings. 

8vo..#2.50 

LESLIE.—Complete Cookery: 

Directions for Cookery in its Various Branches. By Miss Leslie. 
Sixtieth thousand. Thoroughly revised, with the addition of New 

Receipts. i2mo. ........ $ 1 - 5 ° 

LE VAN.— The Steam Engine and the Indicator : 

Their Origin and Progressive Development; including the Most 
Recent Examples of Steam and Gas Motors, together with the Indi¬ 
cator, its Principles, its Utility, and its Application. By William 
Barnet Le Van. Illustrated by 205 Engravings, chiefly of Indi- 

cator-Cards. 469 pp. 8vo. $4.00 

LIEBER.—Assayer’s Guide : 

Or, Practical Directions to Assayers, Miners, and Smelters, for the 
Tests and Assays, by Heat and by Wet Processes, for the Ores of all 
the principal Metals, of Gold and Silver Coins and Alloys, and* of 
Coal, etc. By Oscar M. Lieber. Revised. 283 pp. i2mo. $1.50 

Lockwood’s Dictionary of Terms: 

Used in the Practice of Mechanical Engineering, embracing those 
Current in the Drawing Office, Pattern Shop, Foundry, Fitting, Turn-, 
jng, Smith’s and Boiler Shops, etc., etc., comprising upwards of Six' 
Thousand Definitions. Edited by a Foreman Pattern Maker, author 
t,f “ Pattern Making.” 417 PP- I2m0 - • ' • # 3 -°° 



18 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


LUKIN.—Amongst Machines: 

Embracing Descriptions of the various Mechanical Appliances used 
in the Manufacture of Wood, Metal, and other Substances. *2mo. 

*i -75 

LUKIN.—The Boy Engineers: 

What They Did, and How They Did It. With 30 plates. i8mo. 

#*•75 

LUKIN.—The Young Mechanic c 

Practical Carpentry. Containing Directions for the Use of all kinds 
of Tools, and for Construction of Steam-Engines and Mechanical 
Models, including the Art of Turning in Wood and Metal. By John 
Lukin, Author of “The Lathe and Its Uses,” etc. Illustrated. 

l2iuo.$1.75 

MAIN and BROWN.—Questions on Subjects Connected with 
the Marine Steam-Engine: 

And Examination Papers; with Hints for their Solution. By 
Thomas J. Main, Professor of Mathematics, Royal Naval College, 
and Thomas Brown, Chief Engineer, R. N. i2mo., cloth . #1.00 

MAIN and BROWN.—The Indicator and Dynamometer: 

With their Practical Applications to the Steam-Engine. By Thomas 
J. Main, M. A. F. R., Ass’t S. Professor Royal Naval College, 
Portsmouth, and Thomas Brown, Assoc. Inst. C. E., Chief Engineer 
R. N., attached to the R. N. College. Illustrated. 8vo. . $i.oo 
MAIN and BROWN.—The Marine Steam-Engine. 

By Thomas J. Main, F. R. Ass’t S. Mathematical Professor at the 
Rpyal Naval College, Portsmouth, and Thomas Brown, Assoc. 
Inst. C. E., Chief Engineer R. N. Attached to the Royal Naval 
College. With numerous illustrations. 8vo. 

MAKINS.—A Manual of Metallurgy: 

By George Hogarth Makins. ioo engravings. Second edition 
rewritten and much enlarged. i2mo., 592 pages . $3.00 

MARTIN.—Screw-Cutting Tables, for the Use of Mechanical 
Engineers : 

Showing the Proper Arrangement of Wheels for Cutting the Threads 
of Screws of any Required Pitch; with a Table for Making the Uni¬ 
versal Gas-Pipe Thread and Taps. By W. A. Martin, Engineer, 

8 vo.. c c 

MICHELL. —Mine Drainage: 

Being a Complete and Practical Treatise on Direct-Acting Under 
ground Steam Pumping Machinery. With a Description of a large 
number of the best known Engines, their General Utility and the 
Special Sphere of their Action, the Mode of their Application, and 
their Merits compared with other Pumping Machinery. By STEPHEN 
Michell. Illustrated by 137 engravings. 8vo., 277 pages . $6.00 

MOLESWORTH.—Pocket-Book of Useful Formulae and 
Memoranda for Civil and Mechanical Engineers. 

By Guilford L. Molesworth, Member of the Institution of Civil 
Engineers, Chief Resident Engineer of the Ceylon Railway. Full- 
bound in Pocket-book form.$i.ot 





HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


*9 


MOORE.—The Universal Assistant and the Complete Me¬ 
chanic : 

Containing over one million Industrial Facts, Calculations, Receipts^ 
Processes, Trades Secrets, Rules, Business Forms, Legal Items, Etc., 
in every occupation, from the Household to the Manufactory. By 
R. Moore. Illustrated by 500 Engravings. i2mo. . $2.5 a 

MORRIS.—Easy Rules for the Measurement of Earthworks : 
By means of the Prismoidal Formula. Illustrated with Numerous 
Wood-Cuts, Problems, and Examples, and concluded by an Exten¬ 
sive Table for finding the Solidity in cubic yards from Mean Areas. 
The whole being adapted for convenient use by Engineers, Surveyors, 
Contractors, and others needing Correct Measurements of Earthwork. 

By Elwood Morris, C. E. 8vo.$1.50 

MAUCHLINE.—The Mine Foreman’s Hand-Book 
Of Practical and Theoretical Information on the Opening, Venti-- 
lating, and Working of Collieries. Questions and Answers on Prac¬ 
tical and Theoretical Coal Mining. Designed to Assist Students and 
Others in Passing Examinations for Mine Foremanships. By 
Robert Mauchline, Ex-Inspector of Mines. A New, Revised and 


Enlarged Edition. Illustrated by 114 engravings. 8vo. 337 
P a g es .$ 3-75 


NAPIER.—A System of Chemistry Applied to Dyeing. 

By James Napier, F. C. S. A New and Thoroughly Revised Edi¬ 
tion. Completely brought up to the present state of the Science, 
including the Chemistry of Coal Tar Colors, by A. A. Fesquet, 
Chemist and Engineer. With an Appendix on Dyeing and Calico 
Printing, as shown at the Universal Exposition, Paris, 1867. Illus¬ 
trated. 8vo. 422 pages.$3.5o 

NEVILLE.—Hydraulic Tables, Coefficients, and Formulae, foi 
finding the Discharge of Water from Orifices, Notches, 
Weirs, Pipes, and Rivers: 

Third Edition, with Additions, consisting of New Formulae for the 
Discharge from Tidal and Flood Sluices and Siphons; general infor¬ 
mation on Rainfall, Catchment-Basins, Drainage, Sewerage, Water 
Supply for Towns and Mill Power. By Tohn Neville, C. E. M. R 
I. A. ; Fellow’ of the Royal Geological Society of Ireland. Thiele 

I2mo. $5.50 

NEWBERY.— Gleanings from Ornamental Art of every 
style: 

Drawn from Examples in the British, South Kensington, Indian, 
Crystal Palace, and other Museums, the Exhibitions of 1851 and 
1862, and the best English and Foreign works. In a series of 10a 
exquisitely drawn Plates, containing many hundred examples. By 

Robert Newbery. 4to. .$12.50 

NICHOLLS. —The Theoretical and Practical Boiler=»Maker and 
Engineer’s Reference Book: 

Containing a variety of Useful Information for Employers of Labor, 
Foremen and Working Boiler-Makers. Iron, Copper, and Tinsmith* 






20 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


Draughtsmen, Engineers, the General Steam-using Public, and for tha 
Use of Science Schools and Classes. By Samuel Nicholls. Illus* 
trated by sixteen plates, l2mo. ..... $2.50 

NICHOLSON. —A Manual of the Art of Bookbinding: 
Containing full instructions in the different Branches of Forwarding, 
Gilding, and Finishing. Also, the Art of Marbling Book-edges and 
Paper. By James B. Nicholson. Illustrated. i2mo., cloth $2.25 
NICOLLS.—The Railway Builder: 

A Hand-Book for Estimating the Probable Cost of American Rail* 
way Construction and Equipment. By William J. Nicolls, Civil 
Engineer. Illustrated, full bound, pocket-book form . $2.00 

NORMANDY.—The Commercial Handbook of Chemical An¬ 
alysis : 

Or Practical Instructions for the Determination of the Intrinsic 01 
Commercial Value of Substances used in Manufactures, in Trades, 
and in the Arts. By A. Normandy. New Edition, Enlarged, and 
to a great extent rewritten. By Henry M. Noad, Ph.D., F.R.S., 

thick i2mo.$5.00 

NORRIS.—A Handbook fcr Locomotive Engineers and Ma¬ 
chinists: 

Comprising the Proportions and Calculations for Constructing Loco¬ 
motives; Manner of Setting Valves; Tables of Squares, Cubes, Areas, 
etc., etc. By Septimus Norris, M. E. New edition. Illustrated, 

I 2 mo.$1.50 

NYSTROM.—A New Treatise on Elements of Mechanics : 
Establishing Strict Precision in the Meaning of Dynamical Terms: 
accompanied with an Appendix on Duodenal Arithmetic and Me¬ 
trology. By John W. Nystrom, C. E. Illustrated. 8vo. $2.00 
NYSTROM.—On Technological Education and the Construc¬ 
tion of Ships and Screw Propellers: 

For Naval and Marine Engineers. By John W. Nystrom, lata 
Acting Chief Engineer, U. S. N. Second edition, revised, with addi¬ 
tional matter. Illustrated by seven engravings. i2mo. . $1.50 

O’NEILL.—A Dictionary of Dyeing and Calico Printing: 

Containing a brief account of all the Substances and Processes in 
*ise in the Art of Dyeing and Printing Textile Fabrics ; with Practical 
Receipts and Scientific Information. By Charles O’Neill, Analy¬ 
tical Chemist. To which is added an Essay on Coal Tar Colors and 
their application to Dyeing and Calico Printing. By A. A. Fesquet, 
Chemist and Engineer. With an appendix on Dyeing and Calico 
Printing, as shown at the Universal Exposition, Paris, 1867- 8vo., 

491 pages.*3.50 

ORTON.—Underground Treasures’. 

How and Where to Find Them. A Key for the Ready Determination 
of all the Useful Minerals within the United States. By James 
Orton, A.M., Late Professor of Natural History in Vassar College, 
N. Y.; Cor. Mem. of the Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia] 
and of the Lyceum of Natural History, New York ; author of the 
“Andes and the Amazon,” etc. A New Edition, with Additions. 
Illustrated . - . . . . _ co 







HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE- 2* 


OSBORN.—The Prospector’s Field Book and Guide: 

In the Search for and the Easy Determination of Ores and Other 
Useful Minerals. By Prof. H. S. Osborn, LL. D., Author of 
“ The Metallurgy of Iron and Steel; ” “A Practical Manual of 
Minerals, Mines, and Mining.” Illustrated by 44 Engravings, 

l2mo.. . $1.50 

OSBORN.—A Practical Manual of Minerals, Mines and Min' 
ing: 

Comprising the Physical Properties, Geologic Positions, Local Occur¬ 
rence and Associations of the Useful Minerals; their Methods of 
Chemical Analysis and Assay: together with Various Systems of 
Excavating and Timbering, Brick and Masonry Work, during Driv¬ 
ing, Lining, Bracing and other Operations, etc. By Prof. H. Sv 
Osborn, LL. D., Author of the “ Metallurgy of Iron and Steel.” 
Illustrated by 171 engravings from original drawings. 8vo. $4.50 
OVERMAN.—The Manufacture of Steel: 

Containing the Practice and Principles of Working and Making Steel. 
A Handbook for Blacksmiths and Workers in Steel and Iron, Wagon 
Makers, Die Sinkers, Cutlers, and Manufacturers of Files and Hard¬ 
ware, of Steel and Iron, and for Men of Science and Art. By 
Frederick Overman, Mining Engineer, Author of the “ Manu¬ 
facture of lion,” etc. A new, enlarged, and revised Edition. By 
A. A. Fesqdet, Chemist and Engineer. i2mo. . . $1.50 

OVERMAN.—The Moulder’s and Founder’s Pocket Guide : 

A Treatise on Moulding and Founding in Green-sand, Dry-sand, Loam, 
and Cement; the Moulding of Machine Frames, Mill-gear, Hollow- 
ware, Ornaments, Trinkets, Bells, and Statues; Description of Mould's 
for Iron, Bronze, Brass, and other Metals; Plaster of Paris, Sulphur, 
Wax, etc.; the Construction of Melting Furnaces, the Melting and 
Founding of Metals ; the Composition of Alloys and their Nature, 
etc., etc. By Frederick Overman, M. E. A new Edition, to 
which is added a Supplement on Statuary and Ornamental Moulding, 
Ordnance, Malleable Iron Castings, etc. By A. A. Fesquet, Chem¬ 
ist and Engineer. Illustrated by 44 engravings. i2mo. . $2.00 

PAINTER, GILDER, AND VARNISHER’S COMPANION. 
Containing Rules and Regulations in everything relating to the Art} 
of Painting, Gilding, Varnishing, Glass-Staining, Graining, Marbling, 
Sign-Writing, Gilding on Glass, and Coach Painting and Varnishing; 
Tests for the Detection of Adulterations in Oils, Colors, etc.; and a 
Statement of the Diseases to which Painters are peculiarly liable, with 
the Simplest and Best Remedies. Sixteenth Edition. Revised, with 
an Appendix. Containing Colors and Coloring—Theoretical and 
Practical. Comprising descriptions of a great variety of Additional 
Pigments, their Qualities and Uses, to which are added, Dryers, and 
Modes and Operations of Painting, etc. Together with Chevreul’s 
Principles of Harmony and Contrast of Colors. i2mo. Cloth $1.50 
iPALLETT.—The Miller’s, Millwright’s, and Engineer’s Guide. 
By Henry Pallett. Illustrated. i2mo. . . * #2.0* 




22 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


PERCY.—The Manufacture of Russian Sheet-Iron. 

By John Percy, M. D., F. R. S., Lecturer on Metallurgy at the 
Royal School of Mines, and to The Advance Class of Artillery 
Officers at the Royal Artillery Institution, Woolwich; Author of 
“ Metallurgy.” With Illustrations. 8vo., paper . . 50 cts. 

PERKINS.—Gas and Ventilation : 

Practical Treatise on Gas and Ventilation. With Special Relation 
do Illuminating, Heating, and Cooking by Gas. Including Scientific 
Helps to Engineer-students and others. With Illustrated Diagrams. 

By E. E. Perkins. i2mo., cloth.$1.25 

PERKINS AND STOWE.—A New Guide to the Sheet-iron 
and Boiler Plate Roller : 

Containing a Series of Tables showing the Weight of Slabs and Piles 
to Produce Boiler Plates, and of the Weight of Piles and the Sizes of 
Bars to produce Sheet-iron; the Thickness of the Bar Gauge 
in decimals; the Weight per foot, and the Thickness on the Bar or 
Wire Gauge of the fractional parts of an inch; the Weight per 
sheet, and the Thickness on the Wire Gauge of Sheet-iron of various 
dimensions to weigh 112 lbs. per bundle; and the conversion of 
Short Weight into Long Weight, and Long Weight into Short. 
Estimated and collected by G. H. Perkins and J. G. Stowe. $2.5(3 
POWELL—CHANCE—HARRIS.—The Principles of Glass 
Making. 

By Harry J. Powell, B. A. Together with Treatises on Crown and 
Sheet Glass; by Henry Chance, M. A. And Plate Glass, by H. 
G. Harris, Asso. M. Inst. C. E. Illustrated i8mo. . $1.50 

PROCTOR.—A Pocket-Book of Useful Tables and Formulae 
for Marine Engineers : 

By Frank Proctor. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged. 
Full-bound pocket-book form ...... $1.50 

REGNAULT.—Elements of Chemistry: 

By M. V. Regnault. Translated from the French by T. Forrest 
Betton, M. D., and edited, with Notes, by James C. Booth, Melter 
>and Refiner U. S. Mint, and William L. Faber, Metallurgist and 
Mining Engineer. Illustrated by nearly 700 wood-engravings. Com¬ 
prising nearly 1,500 pages. In two volumes, 8vo., cloth . $7.50 

RICHARDS.—Aluminium : 

Its Plistory, Occurrence, Properties, Metallurgy and Applications, 
including its Alloys. By Joseph W. Richards, A. C., Chemist and 
Practical Metallurgist, Member of the Deutsche Chemische Gesell- 
schaft. Illust. Third edition, enlarged and revised (1895) • $6.00 
RIFFAULT, VERGNAUD, and TOUSSAINT.—A Practical 
Treatise on the Manufacture of Colors for Painting: 
Comprising the Origin, Definition, and Classification of Colors; the 
Treatment of the Raw Materials; the best Formulae and the Newest 
Processes for the Preparation of every description of Pigment, and 
the Necessary Apparatus and Directions for its Use; Dryers; the 
Testing. Application, and Qualities of Paints, etc., etc. By MM. 
Riffault, Vergnaud, and Tqussaint. Revised and Edited by M. 



HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


2 3 


F. Malepeyre. Translated from the French, by A. A. Fesquet, 
Chemist and Engineer. Illustrated by Eighty engravings. In one 
vol., 8vo., 659 pages.$5.00 

ROPER.—A Catechism of High-Pressure, or Non-Condensing 
Steam-Engines : 

Including the Modelling, Constructing, and Management of Steam- 
Engines and Steam Boilers. With valuable illustrations. By Ste. 
PHEN Roper, Engineer. Sixteenth edition, revised and enlarged. 

i8mo., tucks, gilt edge.$2.00 

ROPER.—Engineer’s Handy-Book: 

Containing a full Explanation of the Steam-Engine Indicator, and its 
Use and Advantages to Engineers and Steam Users. With Formulae 
for Estimating the Power of all Classes of Steam-Engines; also, 
Facts, Figures, Questions, and Tables for Engineers who wish to 
qualify Aemselves for the United States Navy, the Revenue Service, 
the Mercantile Marine, or to take charge of the Better Class of Sta¬ 
tionary Steam-Engines. Sixth edition. i6mo.. 690 pages, tucks, 

gilt edge.#3.50 

ROPER.—Hand-Book of Land and Marine Engines : 

Including the Modelling, Construction, Running, and Management 
of Land and Marine Engines and Boilers. With illustrations. By 
Stephen Roper, Engineer. Sixth edition. i2mo., treks, gilt edge. 

#3.50 

ROPER.—Hand-Book of the Locomotive : 

Including the Construction of Engines and Boilers, and the Construc¬ 
tion, Management, and Running of Locomotives. By Stb,phen 
Roper. Eleventh edition. i8mo., tucks, gilt edge . $2.50 

ROPER.—Hand-Book of Modern Steam Fire-Engines. 

With illustrations. By Stephen Roper, Engineer. Fourth edition, 
l2mo., tucks, gilt edge ....... $3.50 

ROPER.—Questions and Answers for Engineers. 

This little book contains all the Questions that Engineers will be 
asked when undergoing an Examination for the purpose of procuring 
Licenses, and they are so plain that any Engineer or Fireman of or 
dinary intelligence may commit them to memory in a short time. By 
Stephen Roper, Engineer. Third edition . . . $3.00 

ROPER.—Use and Abuse of the Steam Boiler. 

By Stephen Roper, Engineer. Eighth edition, with illustrations. 
i8mo., tucks, gilt edge ....... $2.00 

ROSE.—The Complete Practical Machinist: 

Embracing Lathe Work, Vise Work, Drills and Drilling, Taps and 
Dies, Hardening and Tempering, the Making and Use of Tools, 
Tool Grinding, Marking out Work, etc. By Joshua Rose. Illus¬ 
trated by 356 engravings. Thirteenth edition, thoroughly revised 
and in great part rewritten. In one vol., l2mo., 439 pages #2.50 

ROSE.—Pvlechanical Drawing Self-Taught: 

Comprising Instructions in the Selection and Preparation of Drawing 
Instruments. Elementary Instruction in' Practical Mechanical Draw 





24 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


ing, together with Examples in Simple Geometry and Elementary 
Mechanism, including Screw Threads, Gear Wheels, Mechanical 
Motions, Engines and Boilers. By Joshua Rose, M. E. Illustrated 
by 330 engravings. 8vo., 313 pages .... $4.00 

ROSE.—The Slide-Valve Practically Explained: 

Embracing simple and complete Practical Demonstrations of tin 
operation of each element in a Slide-valve Movement, and illustrat¬ 
ing the effects of Variations in their Proportions by examples care¬ 
fully selected from the most recent and successful practice. By 
Joshua Rose, M. E. Illustrated by 35 engravings . $1.00 

ROSS.—The Blowpipe in Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology: 

Containing all Known Methods of Anhydrous Analysis, many Work¬ 
ing Examples, and Instructions for Making Apparatus. By Lieut.- 
Colonel W. A. Ross, R. A., F. G. S. With 120 Illustrations. 

i2mo.. $2.00 

SHAW.—Civil Architecture : 

Being a Complete Theoretical and Practical System of Building, con¬ 
taining the Fundamental Principles of the Art. By Edward Shaw, 
Architect. To which is added a Treatise on Gothic Architecture, etc. 
By Thomas \V. Silloway and George M. Harding, Architects. 
The whole illustrated by 102 quarto plates finely engraved on copper. 
Eleventh edition. 4to. ....... $7*50 

SHUNK.—A Practical Treatise on Railway Curves and Loca¬ 
tion, for Young Engineers. 

By W. F. Shunk, C. E. i2mo. Full bound pocket-book form $2.00 
SLATER.—The Manual of Colors and Dye Wares. 

By J. W. Slater. i2mo.#3.00 

SLOAN.—American Houses : 

A variety of Original Designs for Rural Buildings. Illustrated by 
26 colored engravings, with descriptive references. By Samuel 
Sloan, Architect. 8vo. ...... $1.50 

SLOAN.—Homestead Architecture: 

Containing Forty Designs for Villas, Cottages, and Farm-houses, with 
Essays on Style, Construction, Landscape Gardening, Furniture, etc., 
etc. Illustrated by upwards of 200 engravings. By Samuel Sloan, 
Architect. 8vo. ........ $3.50 

SLOANE.—Ho,re Experiments m Science. 

By T. O’Conor Slcane, E. M., A. M., Fk. D. Illustrated by 91 
engravings. i2mo. . . . . . . . $1.50 

SMEATON.—Builder’s Pocktt'Companion : 

Containing the Elements of Building, Surveying, and Architecture; 
with Practical Rules and Instructions connected with the subject. 
By A. C. Smeaton, Civil Engineer, etc. i2mo. . . $1.5® 

SMITH.—A Manual of Political Economy. 

By E. Peshine Smith. A New Edition, to which is added a full 
Index. i2mo. . . $1-2$ 





HENRY CAREY LaIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


25 


SMITH.—Parks and Pleasure-Grounds: 

Or Practical Notes on Country Residences, Villas, Public Parks, and 
Gardens. By Charles H. J. Smith, Landscape Gardener and 
Garden Architect, etc., etc. i2mo. .... $2.oa 

SMITH.—The Dyer’s Instructor: 

Comprising Practical Instructions in the Art of Dyeing Silk, Cotton* 
Wool, and Worsted, and Woolen Goods; containing nearly 800 
Receipts. To which is added a Treatise on the Art of Padding; and* 
the Printing of Silk Warps, Skeins, and Handkerchiefs, and the 
various Mordants and Colors for the different styles of such work. 
By David Smith, Pattern Dyer. 121110. . . . $2.00 

SMYTH.—A Rudimentary Treatise on Coal and Coal-Mining. 
By Warrington W. Smyth, M. A., F. R. G., President R. G. S, 
of Cornwall. Fifth edition, revised and corrected. With numer¬ 
ous illustrations. i2mo. . . . . . . $1.7$ 

SNIVELY.—Tables for Systematic Qualitative Chemical AnaL 
ysis. 

By John H. Snively, Phr. D. 8vo. .... $1.00 

SNIVELY.—The Elements of Systematic Qualitative chemical 
Analysis: 

A Hand-book for Beginners. By John H. Snively, Phr. D. i6mo. 

$ 2.00 

STOKES.—The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer’s Companion -. 

Comprising the Art of Drawing, as applicable to Cabinet Work; 
Veneering, Inlaying, and Buhl-Work; the Art of Dyeing and Stain 
ing Wood, Ivory, Bone, Tortoise-Shell, etc. Directions for Lacker¬ 
ing, Japanning, and Virnishing; to make French Polish, Glues. 
Cements, and Composi.Kns; with numerous Receipts, useful to work 
men generally. Bv Stokes. Illustrated. A New Edition, with 
an Appendix upor .ench Polishing, Staining, Imitating, Varnishing, 

etc., etc. i2mo.#1.25 

STRENGTH AND OTHER PROPERTIES OF METALS; 
Reports of Experiments on the Strength and other Properties of 
Metals for Cannon. With a Description of the Machines for Testing 
Metals, and of the Classification of Cannon in service. By Officers 
of the Ordnance Department, U. S. Army. By authority of the Secre« 
taryofWar. Illustrated by 25 large steel plates. Quarto . $ 10.00 

SULLIVAN.—Protection to Native Industry. 

By Sir Edward Sullivan, Baronet, author of “Ten Chapters on 
Social Reforms.” 8vo. ....... $1.00 

SULZ.—A Treatise on Beverages: 

Or the Complete Practical Bottler. Full instructions for Laboratory 
Work, with Original Practical Recipes for all kinds of Carbonated 
Drinks, Mineral Waters, Flavorings, Extracts, Syrups, etc. By 
Chas. Herman Sulz, Technical Cherrdst ana Practical Bottler 
Illustrated by 428 Engravings. pp. 8vo . $10.00 




*6 HENRY CAREY BAIRr? & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


SYME.—Outlines of an Industrial Science. 

By David Syme. i2mo. . . ... $ 2.00 

TABLES SHOWING THE WEIGHT OF ROUND, 

SQUARE, AND FLAT BAR IRON, STEEL, ETC., 

By Measurement. Cloth ..... • 63 

TAYLOR.—Statistics of Coal: 

Including Mineral Bituminous Substances employed in Arts and 
Manufactures; with their Geographical, Geological, and Commercial 
Distribution and Amount of Production and Consumption on the 
American Continent. With Incidental Statistics of the Iron Manu¬ 
facture. By R. C. Taylor. Second edition, revised by S. S. Halde- 
MAN. Illustrated by five Maps and many wood engravings. 8vo., 

cloth.$6.00 

TEMPLETON.—The Practical Examinator on Steam and the 

Steam-Engine: 

With Instructive References relative thereto, arranged for the Use of 
Engineers, Students, and others. By William Templeton, En¬ 
gineer. i2mo. ........ $1.00 

THAUSING.—The Theory and Practice of the Preparation of 
Malt and the Fabrication of Beer: 

With especial reference to the Vienna Process of Brewing. Elab¬ 
orated from personal experience by Julius E. Thausing, Professor 
at the School for Brewers, and at the Agricultural Institute, Modling, 
near Vienna. Translated from the German by William T. Brannt, 
Thoroughly and elaborately edited, with much American matter, and 
according to the latest and most Scientific Practice, by A. Schwarz 
and Dr. A. H. Bauer. Illustrated by 140 Engravings. 8vo., 815 

pages. $10.00 

THOMAS.—The Modern Practice of Photography: 

By R. W. Thomas, F. C. S. 8vo. .... 25 

THOMPSON.—Political Economy. With Especial Reference 
to the Industrial History of Nations : 

By Rokert E. Thompson, M. A., Professor of Social Science in the 
University of Pennsylvania. i2mo. . . . . $1.50 

THOMSON.— Freight Charges Calculator: 

By Andrew Thomson, Freight Agent. 24mo. . . $1.25 

TURNER’S (THE) COMPANION: 

Containing Instructions in Concentric, Elliptic, and Eccentric Turn¬ 
ing; also various Plates of Chucks, Tools, and Instruments; and 
Directions for using the Eccentric Cutter, Drill, Vertical Cutter, and 
Circular Rest; with Patterns and Instructions for working them. 

* 2mo .$1.25 

TURNING: Specimens of Fancy Turning Executed on the 
Hand or Foot-Lathe: 

With Geometric, Oval, and Eccentric Chucks, and Elliptical Cutting 
Frame. By an Amateur. Illustrated by 30 exquisite Photographs. 
..#3-00 







HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


2 7 


VAILE.—Galvanized-Iron Cornice-Worker’s Manual: 

Containing Instructions in Laying out the Different Mitres, and 
Making Patterns for all kinds of Plain and Circular Work. Also, 
Tables of Weights, Areas and Circumferences of Circles, and other 
Matter calculated to Benefit the Trade. By Charles A. Vaile. 
Illustrated by twenty-one plates. 4to.#5.00 

VILLE.—On Artificial Manures : 

Their Chemical Selection and Scientific Application to Agriculture. 
A series of Lectures given at the Experimental Farm at Vincennes, 
during 1867 and 1874-75. By M. Georges Ville. Translated and 
Edited by William Crookes, F. R. S. Illustrated by thirty-one 

engravings. 8vo., 450 pages.$6.00 

VILLE.—The School of Chemical Manures : 

Or, Elementary Principles in the Use of Fertilizing Agents. From 
the French of M. Geo. Ville, by A. A. Fesquet, Chemist and En¬ 
gineer. With Illustrations. i2mo. .... $1.25 

VOGDES.—The Architect’s and Builder’s Pocket-Companion 
and Price-Book : 

Consisting of a Shoit but Comprehensive Epitome of Decimals, Duo¬ 
decimals, Geometry and Mensuration; with Tables of United States 
Measures, Sizes, Weights, Strengths, etc., of Iron, Wood, Stone, 
Brick, Cement and Concretes, Quantities of Materials in given Sizes 
and Dimensions of Wood, Brick and Stone; and full and complete 
Bills of Prices for Carpenter’s Work and Painting; also, Rules for 
Computing and Valuing Brick and Brick Work, Stone Work, Paint¬ 
ing, Plastering, with a Vocabulary of Technical Terms, etc. By 
Frank W. Vogdes, Architect, Indianapolis, Ind. Enlarged, revised, 
and corrected. In one volume, 368 pages, full-bound, pocket-book 

form, gilt edges.#2.00 

Cloth . . .1.50 

VAN CLEVE.—The English and American Mechanic: 

Comprising a Collection of Over Three Thousand Receipts, Rules, 
and Tables, designed for the Use of every Mechanic and Manufac¬ 
turer. By B. Frank Van Cleve. Illustrated. 500 pp. i2mo. $ 2.00 

WAHNSCHAFFE.—A Guide to the Scientific Examination 
of Soils: 

Comprising Select Methods of Mechanical and Chemical Analysis 
and Physical Investigation. Translated from the German of Dr. F. 
Wahnschaffe. With additions by William T. Brannt. Illus¬ 
trated by 25 engravings. 121110. 177 pages . . . $1.50 

WALL.—Practical Graining: 

With Descriptions of Colors Employed and Tools Used. Illustrated 
by 47 Colored Plates, Representing the Various Woods Used J& 
Interior Finishing. By William E. Wall. 8vo. . #2.50 

WALTON.—Coal-Mining Described and Illustrated: 

By Thomas H. Walton, Mining Engineer. Illustrated by 24 large 
and elaborate Plates, after Actual Workings and Apparatus. #5.oc 






28 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


WARE.—The Sugar Beet. 

Including a History of the Beet Sugar Industry in Europe, Varieties 
of the Sugar Beet, Examination, Soils, Tillage, Seeds and Sowings 
Yield and Cost of Cultivation, Harvesting, Transportation, Conserve 
tion, Feeding Qualities of the Beet and of the Pulp, etc. By Lewis 
S. Ware, C. E., M. E. Illustrated by ninety engravings. 8vo. 

# 4 .QG 

WARN.—The Sheet-Metal Worker’s Instructor: 

For Zinc, Sheet-Iron, Copper, and Tin-Plate Workers, etc. Contain¬ 
ing a selection of Geometrical Problems; also, Practical and Simple 
Rules for Describing the various Patterns required in the different 
branches of the above Trades. By Reuben H. Warn, Practical 
Tin-Plate Worker. To which is added an Appendix, containing 
Instructions for Boiler-Making, Mensuration of Surfaces and Solids, 
Rules for Calculating the Weights of different Figures of Iron and 
Steel, Tables of the Weights of Iron, Steel, etc. Illustrated by thirty- 
two Plates and thirty-seven Wood Engravings. 8vo. . $3.00 

WARNER.—New Theorems, Tables, and Diagrams, for the 
Computation of Earth-work: 

Designed for the use of Engineers in Preliminary and Final Estimates^ 
of Students in Engineering, and of Contractors and other non-profes. 
sional Computers. In two parts, with an Appendix. Part I. A Prac¬ 
tical Treatise; Part II. A Theoretical Treatise, and the Appendix. 
Containing Notes to the Rules and Examples of Part I.; Explana¬ 
tions of the Construction of Scales, Tables, and Diagrams, and a 
Treatise upon Equivalent Square Bases and Equivalent Level Heights. 
The whole illustrated by numerous original engravings, comprising 
explanatory cuts for Definitions and Problems, Stereometric Scales 
and Diagrams, and a series of Lithographic Drawings from Models: 
Showing all the Combinations of Solid Forms which occur in Railroad 
Excavations and Embankments. By John Warner, A. M., Mining 
and Mechanical Engineer. Illustrated by 14 Plates. A new, revised 
and improved edition. 8vo. ...... $4.00 

WATSON.—A Manual of the Hand-Lathe : 

Comprising Concise Directions for Working Metals of all kinds. 
Ivory, Bone and Precious Woods; Dyeing, Coloring, and French 
Polishing; Inlaying by Veneers, and various methods practised to 
produce Elaborate work with Dispatch, and at Small Expense. By 
Egbert P. Watson, Author of “ The Modern Practice of American 
Machinists and Engineers.” Illustrated by 78 engravings. $1.50 

WATSON.—The Modern Practice of American Machinists and 
Engineers 

Including the Construction, Application, and Use of Drills, Lathe 
Tools, Cutters for Boring Cylinders, and Hollow-work generally, with 
the most Economical Speed for the same; the Results verified by 
Actual Practice at the Lathe, the Vise, and on the Floor. Togethe* 



HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


20 


with Workshop Management, Economy of Manufacture, the Steam 
Engine, Boilers,, Gears, Belting, etc., etc. By Egbert P. Watson, 
Illustrated by eighty-six engravings. i2mo. . . . #2.50 

WATSON.—The Theory and Practice of the Art of Weaving 
by Hand and Power • 

With Calculations and Tables for the Use of those connected with the 
Trade. By John Watson, Manufacturer and Practical Machine* 
Maker. Illustrated by large Drawings of the best Power Looms. 

8vo - • #6.00' 

WATT.—The Art of Soap Making: 

A Practical Hand-book of the Manufacture of Plard and Soft Soaps, 
Toilet Soaps, etc., including many New Processes, and a Chapter on 
the Recovery of Glycerine from Waste Leys. By Alexander 
Watt. Ill. i2mo.. $3.00 

WEATHERLY.—Treatise on the Art of Boiling Sugar, Crys» 
tailizing, Lozenge-making, Comfits, Gum Goods, 

And other processes for Confectionery, etc., in which are explained, 
in an easy and familiar manner, the various Methods of Manufactur¬ 
ing every Description of Raw and Refined Sugar Goods, as sold by 

Confectioners and others. i2mo.$1.50 

WIGHTWICK.—Hints to Young Architects: 

Comprising Advice to those who, while yet at school, are destined 
to the Profession; to such as, having passed their pupilage, are about 
to travel; and to those who, having completed their education, are 
about to practise. Together with a Model Specification involvir.g a 
great variety of instructive and suggestive matter. By George 
WightwicK, Architect. A new edition, revised and considerably 
enlarged; comprising Treatises on the Principles of Construction 
and Design. By G. Huskisson Guillaume, Architect. Numerous 

illustrations. One vol. i2mo.. $ 2.00 

WILL.—Tables of Qualitative Chemical Analysis. 

With an Introductory Chapter on the Course of Analysis. By Pro 
lessor Heinrich Will, of Giessen, Germany. Third American 
from the eleventh German edition. Edited by Charles F. Himes, 
Ph. D., Professor of Natural Science, Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa 

8vo. . .$1.50 

WILLIAMS.—On Heat and Steam: 

Embracing New Views of Vaporization, Condensation, and Explo¬ 
sion. By Charles Wye Williams, A. I. C. E. Illustrated 8 vo, 

$ 2.50 

WILSON.—A Treatise on Steam Boilers : 

Their Strength, Construction, and Economical Working. By RoberI 

Wilson. Illustrated i2mo.. $2.5 o 

V. ILSON.—First Principles of Political Economy: , 

With Reference to Statesmanship and the Progress of Civilization. 
By Professor W. D. Wilson, of the Cornell University. A new and 
revised edition. 121110. • . . . . . . $1.50 





3 ° 


HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


WOHLER.—A Hand-Book of Mineral Analysis: 

By F. Wohler, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Gottin¬ 
gen. Edited by Henry B. Nason, Professor of Chemistry in the 
Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. Illustrated. 
121110 . $ 2 . 5 <> 

WORSSAM.—On Mechanical Saws: 

From the Transactions of the Society of Engineers, 1869. By S. W. 
Worssam, Jr. Illustrated by eighteen large plates. 8vo. $2.50 


RECENT ADDITIONS. 

BRANNT.—Varnishes, Lacquers, Printing Inks and Sealing- 
Waxes : 

Their Raw Materials and their Manufacture, to which is added the 
Art of Varnishing and Lacquering, including the Preparation of Put¬ 
ties and of Stains for Wood, Ivory, Bone, Horn, and Leather. By 
William T. Brannt. Illustrated by 39 Engravings, 338 pages. 
121110. .......... #3.00 

BRANNT—The Practical Scourer and Garment Dyer: 

Comprising Dry or Chemical Cleaning; the Art of Removing Stains; 
Fine Washing; Bleaching and Dyeing of Straw Hats, Gloves, and 
Feathers of all kinds; Dyeing of Worn Clothes of all fabrics, in¬ 
cluding Mixed Goods, by One Dip; and the Manufacture of Soaps 
and Fluids for Cleansing Purposes. Edited by William T. Brannt, 
Editor of “The Techno-Chemical Receipt Book.” Illustrated. 
203 pages. i2mo.. $2.00 

BRANNT.—Petroleum. 

Its History, Origin, Occurrence, Production, Physical and Chemical 
Constitution, Technology, Examination and Uses; Together with 
the Occurrence and Uses of Natural Gas. Edited chiefly from the 
German of Prof. Hans Hoefer and Dr. Alexander Veith, by Wm. 
T. Brannt. Illustrated by 3 Plates and 284 Engravings. 743 pp. 
8vo. I7.50. 

BRANNT.—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture of Vine¬ 
gar and Acetates, Cider, and Fruit-Wines ; 

Preservation of Fruits and Vegetables by Canning and Evaporation; 
Preparation of Fruit-Butters, Jellies, Marmalades, Catchups, Pickles, 
Mustards, etc. Edited from various sources. By William T. 
Brannt. Illustrated by 79 Engravings. 479 pp. 8vo. $5.00 

BRANNT.—The Metal Worker’s Handy-Book of Receipts 

and Processes: 

Being a Collection of Chemical Formulas and Practical Manipula¬ 
tions for the working of all Metals; including the Decoration and 
Beautifying of Articles Manufactured therefrom, as well as their 
Preservation. Edited from various sources. By WlLLIAM T. 
Brannt. Illustrated. i2mo. $2.50 








HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.'S CATALOGUE. 


3 r 


DEITE.—A Practical Treatise on the Manufacture c.f Per- 
fumery: 

Comprising directions for making all kinds of Perfumes, Sachet 
Powders, Fumigating Materials, Dentifrices, Cosmetics, etc., with a 
full account of the Volatile Oils, Balsams, Resins, and other Natural 
and Artificial Perfume-substances, including the Manufacture of 
Fruit Ethers, and tests of their purity. By Dr. C. Deite, assisted 
by L. Borchert, F. Eichbaum, E. Kugler, H. Toeffner, and 
other experts. From the German, by Wm. T. Brannt. 28 Engrav¬ 
ings. 358 pages. 8vo.$3.00 

EDWARDS.—American Marine Engineer, Theoretical and 
Practical: 

With Examples of the latest and most approved American Practice. 
By Emory Edwards. 85 illustrations. i2mo. . . $ 2.50 

EDWARDS.—900 Examination Questions and Answers: 

For Engineers and Firemen (Land and Marine) who desire to ob¬ 
tain a United States Government or State License. Pocket-book 

form, gilt edge . ..$1.5° 

POSSELT.—Technology of Textile Design : 

Being a Practical Treatise on the Construction and Application of 
Weaves for all Textile Fabrics, with minute reference to the latest 
Inventions for Weaving. Containing also an Appendix, showing 
the Analysis and giving the Calculations necessary for the Manufac* 
tuie of the various Textile Fabrics. By fi. A. Posselt, Head 
Master Textile Department, Pennsylvania Museum and School of 
Industrial Art, Philadelphia, with over 1000 illustrations. 292 
pages. 4to. . . . ..$5-oc 

POSSELT.—The Jacquard Machine Analysed and Explained: 

With an Appendix on the Preparation of Jacquard Cards, and 
Practical Hints to Learners of Jacquard Designing. By E. A. 
Posselt. With 230 illustrations and numerous diagrams. 127 pp. 

4 to.$ 3 -oa 

POSSELT.—The Structure of Fibres, Yarns and Fabrics: 
Being a Practical Treatise for the Use of all Persons Employed in 
the Manufacture of Textile Fabrics, containing a Description of the 
Growth and Manipulation of Cotton, Wool, Worsted, Silk Flax, 
Jute, Ramie, China Grass and Hemp, and Dealing with all Manu¬ 
facturers’ Calculations for Every Class of Material, also Giving 
Minute Details for the Structure of all kinds of Textile Fabrics, and 
an Appendix of Arithmetic, specially adapted for Textile Purposes. 
By E. A. Posselt. Over 400 Illustrations, quarto. . $10.00 

RICH.—Artistic Horse-Shoeing: 

A Practical and Scientific Treatise, giving Improved Methods of 
Shoeing, with Special Directions for Shaping Shoes to Cure Different 
Diseases of the Foot, and for the Correction of Faulty Action in 
Trotters. By George E. Rich. 62 Illustrations. 153 pages. 
i2mo. ..$i.o<? 








32 HENRY CAREY BAIRD & CO.’S CATALOGUE. 


RICHARDSON.—Practical Blacksmithing: 

A Collection of Articles Contributed at Different Times by Skilled 
Workmen to the columns of “ The Blacksmith and Wheelwright,” 
and Covering nearly the Whole Range of Blacksmithing, from the 
Simplest Job of Work to some of the Most Complex Forgings, 


Compiled and Edited by M. T. Richardson. 

Vol. I. 210 Illustrations. 224 pages. l2mo. . . $1.00 

Vol. II. 230 Illustrations. 262 pages. i2mo. , . $1.00 

Vol. III. 390 Illustrations. 307 pages. i2mo. , , $1.00 

Vol. IV. 226 Illustrations. 276 pages. i2mo. , . $1.00 

RICHARDSON.—The Practical Horseshoer: 


Being a Collection of Articles on Horseshoeing in all its Branches 
which have appeared from time to time in the columns of “ The 
Blacksmith and Wheelwright,” etc. Compiled and edited by M. T. 

Richardson. 174 illustrations.$1.00 

ROPER.—Instructions and Suggestions for Engineers and 
Firemen: 

By Stephen Roper, Engineer. i8mo. Morocco . $2.00 

ROPER.— The Steam Boiler: Its Care and Management: 

By Stephen Roper, Engineer. i2mo., tuck, gilt edges. $2.00 
ROPER.—The Young Engineer’s Own Book: 

Containing an Explanation of the Principle and Theories on which 
the Steam Engine as a Prime Mover is Based. By Stephen Roper, 
Engineer. 160 illustrations, 363 pages. i8mo., tuck . $3.00 

ROSE.—Modern Steam-Engines: 

An Elementary Treatise upon the Steam-Engine, written in Plain 
language; for Use in the Workshop as well as in the Drawing Office. 
Giving Full Explanations of the Construction of Modern Stearrv 
Engines : Including Diagrams showing their Actual operation. To¬ 
gether with Complete but Simple Explanations of the operations of 
Various Kinds of Valves, Valve Motions, and Link Motions, etc., 
thereby Enabling the Ordinary Engineer to clearly Understand the 
Principles Involved in their Construction and Use, and to Plot out 
their Movements upon the Drawing Board. By Joshua Rose. M. E. 
Illustrated by 422 engravings. Revised. 358 pp. . . $6.00 

ROSE.—Steam Boilers: 

A Practical Treatise on Boiler Construction and Examination, for the 
Use of Practical Boiler Makers, Boiler Users, and Inspectors; and 
embracing in plain figures all the calculations necessary in Designing 
or Classifying Steam Boilers. By Joshua Rose, M. E. Illustrated 

by 73 engravings. 250 pages. 8vo.$2,150 

SCHRIBER.—The Complete Carriage and Wagon Painter: 

A Concise Compendium of the Art of Painting Carriages, Wagons, 
and Sleighs, embracing Full Directions in all the Various Branches, 
including Lettering, Scrolling, Ornamenting, Striping, Varnishing, 
and Coloring, with numerous Recipes for Mixing Colors. 73 Illus¬ 
trations. 177 pp. i2mo.$1.00 



































































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